Phenolic Compounds and Hepatoprotective Activity of Centaurea aegyptiaca L. on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to isolate phenolic compounds from the 70% aqueous methanol extract of the aerial parts (leaves, flowers and stems) of Centaurea aegyptiaca , evaluate in-vivo hepatoprotective activity and determine total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Methods: 70% aqueous methanol extract of the aerial parts subjected to different chromatographic separation techniques. The identities of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data and comparing with previously reported data. The crude extract was evaluated for invivo hepatoprotective activity on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the aqueous methanol extract were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Results: The aqueous methanol extract of the aerial parts of Centaurea aegyptiaca afforded seven compounds. A phenolic acid ester; protochatechuic acid methyl ester (1) along with six known flavonoids; apigenin-6-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (isovitexin) (2), apigenin-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (vitexin) (3), quercetin-3-O--Dglucopyranoside (isoquercetin) (4), apigenin (5), 3-O-methylquercetin (6) and quercetin (7). Administration of the extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt showed a hepatoprotective activity similar to that of the standard drug; silymarin at a dose of 25 mg/kg b.wt. Comparative histopathological study of liver exhibited moderate changes in liver histoarchitecture when compared to the CCl4 group. The methanolic extract showed high concentration of phenolic and flavonoid contents. Conclusion: The aqueous methanol extract of the aerial parts of C. aegyptiaca afforded seven phenolic compounds for the first time from this species, with promising in-vivo hepatoprotective activity.

Comparative Study on the Essential Oils from Five Wild Egyptian Centaurea Species: Effective Extraction Techniques, Antimicrobial Activity and In-Silico Analyses

“…In folk medicine, Centaurea species are used as anti-diarrheal (e.g., to increase appetite, gain energy, to relieve chest tightness); febrifuge (e.g., to reduce fever, start menstruation, relieve constipation); an astringent; diuretic; digestive; tonic; expectorant (e.g., for treatment of liver diseases); and as an antipyretic agent [ 3 ]. In Egypt, C. alexandrina is reported as a remedy for hyperglycemia [ 4 ], and the flowering branch extracts are used as anti-bacterial and antidiabetic agents [ 5 ]. C. calcitrapa is widely used in folk medicine in North Africa; the whole plant is bitter-astringent, appetizer, anti-febrile, stomachic and is used for intermittent fever and eye diseases.…”

4′-Methylflavanone Glycosides Obtained Using Biotransformation in the Entomopathogenic Filamentous Fungi Cultures as Potential Anticarcinogenic, Antimicrobial, and Hepatoprotective Agents

“…The flavanol glycosides from the leaves of Cleome viscosa L. showed hepatoprotective activity against CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity on HepG2 cells [42]. Hepatoprotective activity was also observed for many other natural extracts of flavonoids [11,12,43,44].…”

“…Flavonoids are known as valuable diet components in preventing many diseases such as cardiovascular, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes. They have also been described as potential therapeutic agents for microbial infections, inflammation, and cancer [8][9][10], and in addition, hepatoprotective agents [11][12][13]. Their anticancer activity relies on inter alia arresting of the cell cycle, inducing cell apoptosis, and suppressing cancer cell proliferation.…”

Effect of Silymarin on Carbon-Tetra Chloride Induced Parotid and Submandibular Salivary Glands Damage in rats.

“…Rats in group III received silymarin (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) orally using gastric gavage for the first 15 days of the experiment, to investigate its protective role against salivary glands damage by CCl4 (32) .…”