Hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity in rats.

Abstract

In recent years there have been remarkable developments in the prevention of diseases, especially with regards to the role of free radicals and antioxidants. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress appears to be one mechanism by which ethanol causes liver injury. The protective effect of aqueous plant extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity was investigated in male Wistar rats. The rats were treated with 45 % ethanol (4.8 g/kg b.w.t.) for 16 days to induce alcoholic diseases in the liver. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride were monitored and the histological changes in liver examined in order to evaluate the protective effects of the plant extract. Hepatic malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione, as well as superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities were determined for the antioxidant status. Chronic ethanol administration resulted in a statistically significant elevation of serum alanine aminotransferases and triglyceride levels, as well as a decrease in reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase which was dramatically attenuated by the co-administration of the plant extract. Histological changes were related to these indices. Co-administration of the plant extract suppressed the elevation of lipid peroxidation, restored the reduced glutathion, and enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity. These results highlight the ability of Aframomum melegueta to ameliorate oxidative damage in the liver and the observed effects are associated with its antioxidant activities.

Antioxidant extracts of African medicinal plants induce cell cycle arrest and differentiation in B16F10 melanoma cells

“…Anticancer properties of this plant have been studied both in vivo on mice and more rarely in vitro on tumor cell lines (32,33). On the other hand, E. speciosa and A. melegueta species have shown antifungal, antiinflammatory, antibacterical, gastro-protective and fertilizing effects (34)(35)(36). However, no report has been clearly focused on their antitumoral properties.…”

Models of drug-induced liver injury for evaluation of phytotherapeutics and other natural products

“…High doses of ethanol (binge treatments) have been used to test the hepatoprotective effects of phytotherapeutics (Chotimarkorn and Ushio, 2008; Hu et al, 2010; Nwozo and Oyinloye, 2011; Wang et al, 2012). In addition, allyl alcohol is a liver toxicant that has occasionally been used in mice to study the effect of plant extracts (Remirez et al, 1997).…”

Protective effects of cassia seed ethanol extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice.

“…However, oxidative stress still could occur due to an excess production of ROS and/or a defect of antioxidant molecules, which could cause damage to macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of a variety of liver disorders (Medina & Moreno-Otero, 2005), and many natural antioxidants have been tried to prevent oxidative stressmediated liver injury (Hewawasam et al, 2003;Nwozo & Oyinloye, 2011;Skinner & Rangasami, 2002;Srivastava & Shivanandappa, 2006). The main advantage of nature compounds or extracts is their mild action in comparison to chemically synthesized drugs.…”