Phytochemical, antioxidant and protective effect of cactus cladodes extract against lithium-induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

Context: Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Castaceae) (cactus) is used in Tunisian medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Objective: This study determines phytochemical composition of cactus cladode extract (CCE). It also investigates antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of CCE against lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)-induced liver injury in rats. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided into four groups of six each: a control group given distilled water (0.5 mL/100 g b.w.; i.p.), a group injected with Li2CO3 (25 mg/kg b.w.; i.p.; corresponding to 30% of the LD50) twice daily for 30 days, a group receiving only CCE at 100 mg/kg of b.w. for 60 days and then injected with distilled water during the last 30 days of CCE treatment, and a group receiving CCE and then injected with Li2CO3 during the last 30 days of CCE treatment. The bioactive components containing the CCE were identified using chemical assays. Results: Treatment with Li2CO3 caused a significant change of some haematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and mean corpuscular volume (VCM) compared to the control group. Moreover, significant increases in the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were observed in the blood of Li2CO3-treated rats. Furthermore, exposure to Li2CO3 significantly increased the LPO level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the hepatic tissues. Conclusion: CCE possesses a significant hepatoprotective effect.

Influence of Feeding Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Seeds and Prickly Pear Fruit (Opuntia ficus indica) Peel on the Immune Response and Resistance to Aeromonas sobria Infection in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…This finding agrees with Saxena et al [86], who reported that treatment with QU seed powder significantly reduced the activities of CCl4-induced hepatic enzymes in Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus). Moreover, pretreatment with PP extract significantly reduced the levels of serum hepatic enzymes elevated upon lithium exposure in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) [16].…”

“…Zhai and Liu [95] reported that PP increased the antioxidant potential of hepato-pancreas in Nile tilapia. In addition, Ben Saad et al [16] reported that the administration of PP extract had a strong hepatoprotective effect on the oxidative lithiummediated damage in rat models, which could be attributed to the antioxidant activity of the active constituents such as phenolics, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Avila-Nava et al [96] reported that PP exhibited both in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities; therefore, its consumption protected the body from oxidative stress.…”

“…Hence, the introduction of natural immunostimulants as feed additives is a crucial alternative and eco-friendly strategy for disease control and treatment [15]. Recently, medicinal plants have been utilized for supplementing health and immunity and positively impacting the growth performance by conferring efficient protection against oxidative injury and related disease [16].…”

Ameliorative Effect of Cactus(Opuntia ficus indica)Extract on Lithium-Induced Nephrocardiotoxicity: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study

“…In our previous study [ 4 ] we have shown that Opuntia ficus indica extract is rich in natural antioxidants compounds and exhibits an excellent antioxidant activity (Tables 1 and 2 ). Moreover, we have shown that HPLC analysis of CCE revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids.…”

Malva: Food, Medicine and Chemistry

“…Among these synthetic drugs and chemicals, both organic, but mainly inorganic chemicals are widely used, and have some severe adverse effects. 372 376 Use of Malva species for constipation relief is known in most traditional medicines of Asia (M. neglecta 36,41,52,59 , M. parviflora 67 and M. sylvestris 108,110,115 ). This activity is recently investigated by several groups.…”