Myrica rubra Extracts Protect the Liver from CCl₄‐Induced Damage

Abstract

The relationship between the expression of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) and the protective effects of Myrica rubra Sieb. Et Zucc fruit extract (MCE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage was investigated. Pretreatment with 50 mg kg−1, 150 mg kg−1 or 450 mg kg−1 MCE significantly blocked the CCl4-induced increase in both serum aspartate aminotransferase (sAST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels in mice (P < .05 or .01 versus CCl4 group). Ultrastructural observations of decreased nuclear condensation, ameliorated mitochondrial fragmentation of the cristae and less lipid deposition by an electron microscope confirmed the hepatoprotection. The mitochondrial membrane potential dropped from −191.94 ± 8.84 mV to −132.06 ± 12.26 mV (P < .01) after the mice had been treated with CCl4. MCE attenuated CCl4-induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 150 or 450 mg kg−1 of MCE, the mitochondrial membrane potentials were restored (P < .05). Pretreatment with MCE also prevented the elevation of intra-mitochondrial free calcium as observed in the liver of the CCl4-insulted mice (P < .01 versus CCl4 group). In addition, MCE treatment (50–450 mg kg−1) significantly increased both transcription and translation of VDAC inhibited by CCl4. The above data suggest that MCE mitigates the damage to liver mitochondria induced by CCl4, possibly through the regulation of mitochondrial VDAC, one of the most important proteins in the mitochondrial outer membrane.

Citrate Functionalized Mn3O4in Nanotherapy of Hepatic Fibrosis by Oral Administration

“…In addition, we investigated the effect of C-Mn 3 O 4 NPs on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). CCl 4 intoxication caused dissipation of MMP, reflected in less quenching of initial rhodamine 123 fluorescence which was in agreement with previous reports [68]. However, treatment with NPs, prevented the collapse in MMP (Figure 8C).…”

Traditional phytotherapy remedies used in Southern Rwanda for the treatment of liver diseases

“…Using various in vivo and in vitro models, some of the plants used in Rwanda, or other species from the same genus, have been previously investigated against an hepatotoxicity induced (i) by CCl 4 in rats and/or mice (Hypoestes triflora, Acanthus ilicifolius, Solanum nigrum, Leucas hirta, Indigofera sp., Myrica rubra) (Van Puyvelde et al, 1989;Babu et al, 2001;Singh et al, 2001;Manjunatha et al, 2005;Shahjahan et al, 2005;Singh et al, 2006;Lin et al, 2008;Mukherjee et al, 2009;Xu et al, 2009); (ii) by CCl 4 and dgalactosamine in rats (Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum basilicum) (Lin et al, 1995); (iii) by CCl 4 and acetaminophen in rats and/or mice (Vernonia amygdalina, Carica papaya, Bidens pilosa) (Babalola et al, 2001;Rajkapoor et al, 2003;Iwalokun et al, 2006;Yuan et al, 2008); (iv) by acetaminophen and thioacetamide in rats (Hygrophila auriculata) (Singh and Handa, 1995;Shanmugasundaram and Venkataraman, 2006); (v) by CCl 4 , acetaminophen, ethanol, dgalactosamine, iron and Amanita phalloides in rats and mice (Silybum marianum) (Chih et al, 1996;Pradhan and Girish, 2006); and (vi) by CCl 4 and acetaminophen in guinea pigs and rats (Ocimum lamiifolium, Crassocephalum vitellinum, Guizotia scabra and Vernonia lasiopus) (Mukazayire et al, 2010). An antihepatitis C activity has also been demonstrated for Embelia schimperi that acts on the HCVProtease (Hussein et al, 2000).…”

Essential oils in aerial parts of Myrcia tomentosa: composition and variability

“…The genus Myrcia has 300 species (Judd et al, 2009), for which a range of pharmacological activities have been described (Hecht, 1984;Almeida, 1993;Cerqueira et al, 2007;Xu et al, 2011). Within this genus, Myrcia tomentosa, popularly known as "goiababrava", can be found from Panama, northern Venezuela and Guyana to southeast Brazil (McVaugh, 1969) and is often cited in works on the flora, phytosociology and characterization of the Savanna/Cerrado (Mahmoud et al, 2003;Teixeira et al, 2004;Morais & Lombardi, 2006).…”