In vivo Pharmacological Effectiveness of Heat-treated Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Juice against CCI4- induced Detoxification in a Rat Model

Abstract

Background: Detoxification of heavy metals such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) poisoning has become a major focus of researchers. Objectives: In this study, heat-treated cucumber juice was assessed for its pharmacological effect on protection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced acute liver and kidney damages. Methods: Initially, during detoxification of CCl 4 , the rats of all groups except the control group (without treatment) were injected with a single intraperitoneal dose of 2.5 mL CCl 4 /kg with 50% concentration (1:1 ratio; v/v in olive oil). Additionally, CCl 4 -treated rats were also dosed with saline, 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg cucumber juice for 1, 3 and 5 days once in a day after 6 h from CCl 4 administration. Results: As a result, the best concentration of cucumber juice was noted to be 10 mg/kg, which showed remarkable protective effect on body weight (212-217 g), enzymatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 53 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 125 IU/L), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 18.8 mg/dL), and creatinine content (0.65 mg/dL) as compared to control (220-232 g; 477 IU/L; 987 IU/L; 16.8 mg/dL; and 0.95 mg/dL), respectively. Moreover, histology and histomorphometry analysis of liver and kidney led to significant reduction in percentage of hepatopathy and nephropathy parameters such as hepatic (46.90±2.63%) and kidney (39.86±2.01) degenerative regions, number of hepatocytes (638.00±47.25), tubules (327.60±26.67) and glomerulus (29.20±1.36). Conclusion: These findings suggest that heat-treated cucumber juice has a significant pharmacological effect on CCl 4 -induced acute liver and kidney damages in experimental rats.

Overview of Traditional Use, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activities of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

“…They are giving cucumber juice (Cucumis sativus L.) in 3 variations of doses, namely 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg of cucumber juice (Cucumis sativus L.). The results show that the best concentration is 10 mg/kg, which shows a protective effect on the body with the activity value of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 53 IU / L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 125 IU / L, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 18.8 mg. / dL [24].…”

Acalypha wilkesiana ‘inferno’ hydroethanolic leaf extract has protective effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced subacute toxicity in animals

“…When any of these functions is distorted, liver damage is said to have occurred 1 . Although many synthetic drugs exist for the treatment and prevention of ailments, even for liver diseases, liver injuries still persist 2 . According to the WHO, nearly 2.4 million deaths are associated with liver injury and damage annually 1 .…”

Lead-induced oxidative stress in postnatal developing cerebellum of Wistar rats: role of aqueous extract of Cucumis sativus Linn and vitamin C

“…Cucumis sativus is a very good source of vitamins A, B6, beta-carotene and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, folate, pantothenic acid, manganese copper and dietary fiber, which support its role as a nueroprotective agent. 22 The medicinal benefits of C. sativus in promoting healthy hair growth, treatment of skin infections like eczema, expulsion of intestinal and tapeworms and lowering of blood pressure are well documented. 23,24 Pharmacologically, the hepatoprotective, 25 antidiabetic, 26 anti-ulcer and wound healing 27 and antioxidant 28 activities of C. sativus have been reported but literature on the use of medicinal plants, which are affordable and easily accessible in ameliorating or protecting Pb neurotoxicity is limited.…”