Protective effects of cassia seed ethanol extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice.

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been recognized as a critical pathogenetic mechanism for the initiation and the progression of hepatic injury in a variety of liver disorders. Antioxidants, including many natural compounds or extracts, have been used to cope with liver disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of cassia seed ethanol extract (CSE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury in mice. The animals were pre-treated with different doses of CSE (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g/kg body weight) or distilled water for 5 days, then were injected intraperitoneally with CCl(4) (0.1% in corn oil, v/v, 20 ml/kg body weight), and sacrificed at 16 hours after CCl(4) exposure. The serum aminotransferase activities, histopathological changes, hepatic and mitochondrial antioxidant indexes, and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activities were examined. Consistent with previous studies, acute CCl(4) administration caused great lesion to the liver, shown by the elevation of the serum aminotransferase activities, mitochondria membrane permeability transition (MPT), and the ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes. However, these adverse effects were all significantly inhibited by CSE pretreatment. CCl(4)-induced decrease of the CYP2E1 activity was dose-dependently inhibited by CSE pretreatment. Furthermore, CSE dramatically decreased the hepatic and mitochondrial malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased the hepatic and mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) levels, and restored the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). These results suggested that CSE could protect mice against CCl(4)-induced liver injury via enhancement of the antioxidant capacity.

Protective effect ofCymbopogon citratuson hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in the reproductive system of male rats

“…Glutathione is the predominant thiol with low molecular weight in animal cells. It effectively scavenges free radicals and ROS and significantly affects the antioxidant defense system [Xie et al 2012]. In the current study, GSH levels in serum and testes homogenates significantly decreased after H 2 O 2 administration.…”

Hepatoprotective effect of Cassia obtusifolia seed extract and constituents against oxidative damage induced by tert -butyl hydroperoxide in human hepatic HepG2 cells

“…Moreover, anthraquinones are predominantly reported in and isolated from the seeds of C. obtusifolia (Zhang, Wang, Liu, & Tu, ). In previous studies, anthraquinones compounds, which are widely distributed in plants, were considered to play an important role as dietary antioxidants for the prevention of oxidative liver damage (Jung et al, ; Wong et al, ; Xie et al, ; Yoon & Kim, ). Therefore, we hypothesized that the seeds of C. obtusifolia and its components would be useful in the prevention of liver injuries induced by oxidative stress.…”

“…Recently, Seo, Song, Kim, and Jang () reported the hepatoprotective effects of Cassia seed ethanol extract and its components toralactone glycoside in t ‐BHP‐induced cells death in HepG2 cells. Xie, Guo, and Zhou () reported the protective effects of Cassia seed ethanol extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )‐induced liver injury in mice. Wong, Wong, Seligmann, and Wagner () reported the hepatoprotective effects of Cassia seed methanol extract in primary cultured hepatocytes against CCl 4 and galactosamine toxicity.…”

Metabolite identification of gut microflora‑cassia seed interactions using UPLC‑QTOF/MS

“…The seed displays extensive pharmacological actions, for example, modern pharmacological research has reported that the cassia seed possesses antibacterial activity (10,11). Beyond the purgative action of the cassia seed, it has also been reported to decrease blood pressure and alleviate hyperlipidemia (12), protect the liver (13), improve immunity (14) and display anti-inflammatory (15) and neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's disease (16,17). The cassia seed is commonly used in the treatment of hypertension, fatty liver and constipation (12,13).…”

“…Beyond the purgative action of the cassia seed, it has also been reported to decrease blood pressure and alleviate hyperlipidemia (12), protect the liver (13), improve immunity (14) and display anti-inflammatory (15) and neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's disease (16,17). The cassia seed is commonly used in the treatment of hypertension, fatty liver and constipation (12,13). At present, research into the pharmacodynamic properties of the cassia seed has primarily focused on the anthraquinone compounds of the seed, which are related to its effect on diarrhea (18,19).…”