Pilea umbrosa ameliorate CCl4 induced hepatic injuries by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, pro-inflammatory and fibrosis genes in rat

Abstract

Background Pilea umbrosa (Urticaceae) is used by local communities (district Abbotabad) for liver disorders, as anticancer, in rheumatism and in skin disorders. Methods Methanol extract of P. umbrosa (PUM) was investigated for the presence of polyphenolic constituents by HPLC-DAD analysis. PUM (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) was administered on alternate days for eight weeks in rats exposed with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Serum analysis was performed for liver function tests while in liver tissues level of antioxidant enzymes and biochemical markers were also studied. In addition, semi quantitative estimation of antioxidant genes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induced stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis related genes were carried out on liver tissues by RT-PCR analysis. Liver tissues were also studied for histopathological injuries. Results Level of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione (GSH) decreased (p < 0.05) whereas level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), H2O2 and nitrite increased in liver tissues of CCl4 treated rat. Likewise increase in the level of serum markers; alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin was observed. Moreover, CCl4 caused many fold increase in expression of ER stress markers; glucose regulated protein (GRP-78), x-box binding protein1-total (XBP-1 t), x-box binding protein1-unspliced (XBP-1 u) and x-box binding protein1-spliced (XBP-1 s). The level of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was aggregated whereas suppressed the level of antioxidant enzymes; γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLC), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf-2). Additionally, level of fibrosis markers; transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Smad-3 and collagen type 1 (Col1-α) increased with CCl4 induced liver toxicity. Histopathological scrutiny depicted damaged liver cells, neutrophils infiltration and dilated sinusoids in CCl4 intoxicated rats. PUM was enriched with rutin, catechin, caffeic acid and apigenin as evidenced by HPLC analysis. Simultaneous administration of PUM and CCl4 in rats retrieved the normal expression of these markers and prevented hepatic injuries. Conclusion Collectively these results suggest that PUM constituted of strong antioxidant chemicals and could be a potential therapeutic agent for stress related liver disorders.

Preparation and Characterization of Silymarin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles with Enhanced Anti-Fibrotic Therapeutic Effects against Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats: Role of MicroRNAs as Molecular Targets

“…These changes are associated with marked weight loss, hepatomegaly, and elevations in the serum bilirubin level, and activities of ALT, AST, and ALP, and a significant drop in albumin level. These results were in accord with numerous studies that indicated alteration of biochemical parameters as biomarkers of hepatotoxicity by CCl 4 [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Antioxidant Activity and Effectiveness of Fig Extract in Counteracting Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rats

“…At the same time, there was a remarkable dose-dependent increase when treated with the plant extracts and the vitamin C used as the standard. Our results agree with several recent studies investigating plant extracts' effect on tissue protein levels, following CCl 4 -induced intoxication in the liver [68][69][70].…”

“…In this study, the CCl4 intoxication of rats resulted in reduced CAT activity in the liver. This is in agreement with several previous studies that have addressed the determination of catalase in tissues following intoxication [68,69,74]. The administration of F. carica extracts enhanced CAT activity in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury to prevent the accumulation of unwanted free radicals and to protect the liver from the effects of intoxication.…”

Synergistic effect of Rosemary and Lemon extractions on some physiological and biochemical parameters of CCl4-Stressed male rats

“…They demonstrated that the body weight significantly decreased, whilst liver index and weight increased after receiving 1 ml/kg of CCl 4 orally (diluted in 50% olive oil) twice a week for eight weeks in the model group. Whereas 21 showed upon treatment with CCl 4 for eight weeks, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the absolute and relative weight of the liver was observed with a notable decrease in body weight. In contrast, simultaneous management of silymarin and CCl 4 recovery of the liver and body weight toward control rats.…”