Hepatoprotective Effect of Opuntia robusta Fruit Biocomponents in a Rat Model of Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a chronic disease associated with oxidative stress that has a great impact on the population mortality. Due to their antioxidant capacity, we evaluated the protective effect of Opuntia robusta fruit (Or) on liver fibrosis. A nutraceutical characterization of Or was performed and a model of fibrosis was induced with thioacetamide (TAA) in Wistar rats. Aminotransferases, reduced glutathione (GSH) and histopathology were evaluated. Or contained 436.5 ± 57 mg of Betacyanins equivalents/L., 793 mg of catechin equivalents (CAE)/100 g for flavonoids, 1118 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g for total phenols, 141.14 mg/100 g for vitamin C and 429.9 μg/100 g for vitamin E. The antioxidant capacity of Or was: 2.27 mmol of Trolox® equivalents (TE)/L (DPPH), 62.2 ± 5.0 μmol TE/g (ABTS•+), 80.2 ± 11.7 μmol TE/g (FRAP), 247.9 ± 15.6 µmol TE/g (AAPH) and 15.0% of H2O2 elimination. An increase (p < 0.05) of aminotransferases and a decrease (p < 0.05) of hepatic GSH was observed in the TAA group compared to the control and the concomitant groups. Histopathology showed changes in the normal architecture of the liver treated with TAA compared to the concomitant treatments. Or contains bioactive components with antioxidant capacity, which can reduce fibrotic liver damage.

Exploring the Potential Hepatoprotective Properties of Cactus (Cactaceae) in Liver Health and Disease Management: A Brief Review

“…Wistar rats received 800 mg/kg of aqueous extracts of Opuntia robusta fruit for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated a reduction in AST and ALT enzymes; a potential antioxidant effect, evidenced by an increase in GSH concentrations and a reduction in MDA levels; a decrease in damage to liver tissue; a reduction in fibrosis; and a cytoprotective effect at all stages of the process of fibrosis [12].…”

“…The Cactus family has been studied as a promising sustainable food component, as they are very adaptable in adverse environmental situations, even resisting conditions with scarce water resources [4]. Cacti are also sources of bioactive compounds and provide potential beneficial health effects, including the maintenance of healthy liver function, since they have antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties [12]. Cacti generally contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, vitamins (including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B complex), minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium), natural pigments, terpenes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants.…”

“…This antioxidant capacity of betanin is notable, as it acts as an efficient reducer of peroxyl radicals derived from unsaturated lipids present in biological membranes [19][20][21]. Furthermore, betanin acts as a scavenger of nitrogen dioxide, the radical initiator of the oxidative process of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) [12].…”

“…Studies have shown the hepatoprotective effect of several types of cacti such as Opuntia spp., Pilosocereus gounellei, and Pereskia grandifolia [12,17,24,50]. This hepatoprotective effect has been attributed to the fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds, such as betalains, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds, that cacti have in their composition [17].…”

Beneficial Effects of Opuntia spp. on Liver Health

“…Pulido-Hornedo et al [ 43 ] analysed the antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of Opuntia robusta ( Or ) from Mexico on rats exhibiting hepatic fibrosis, one of the stages developed in NAFLD and caused by thioacetamide (TAA). For this purpose, TAA was administered twice a week, the first time at a dose of 250 mg/kg b.w.…”