Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory Cytokines Is a Potential Therapeutic Action of Ficus lepicarpa B. (Moraceae) against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Local tribes use the leaves of Ficus lepicarpa B. (Moraceae), a traditional Malaysian medicine, as a vegetable dish, a tonic, and to treat ailments including fever, jaundice and ringworm. The purpose of this study was to look into the possible therapeutic effects of F. lepicarpa leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. The DPPH test was used to measure the antioxidant activity of plants. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the phytochemical analysis (GCMS). Six groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the following treatment regimens: control group, CCl4 alone, F. lepicarpa 400 mg/kg alone, CCl4 + F. lepicarpa 100 mg/kg, CCl4 + F. lepicarpa 200 mg/kg and CCl4 + F. lepicarpa 400 mg/kg. The rats were euthanized after two weeks, and biomarkers of liver function and antioxidant enzyme status were assessed. To assess the extent of liver damage and fibrosis, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of liver tissue were undertaken. The total phenolic content and the total flavonoid content in methanol extract of F. lepicarpa leaves were 58.86 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g and 44.31 ± 0.10 mg CAE/g, respectively. F. lepicarpa’s inhibitory concentration (IC50) for free radical scavenging activity was reported to be 3.73 mg/mL. In a dose-related manner, F. lepicarpa was effective in preventing an increase in serum ALT, serum AST and liver MDA. Histopathological alterations revealed that F. lepicarpa protects against the oxidative stress caused by CCl4. The immunohistochemistry results showed that proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2) were suppressed. The antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and free-radical scavenging activities of F. lepicarpa can be related to its hepatoprotective benefits.

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Sabah Hoya coronaria Blume

“…Consistent with previous studies, the activities of serum ALT and AST were elevated in the CCl4 intoxicated group (Group 2) compared to the normal saline-treated group (Group 1) (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022). Following CCl4 administration, liver damage can lead to increased membrane permeability and changes in transport function, resulting in the release of cytoplasmic hepatic enzymes like ALT and AST into the bloodstream (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022). In groups 3 and 4, where rats were pre-treated with H. coronaria extract and then treated with CCl4, the activities of ALT and AST were dose-dependently reduced compared to group 2, suggesting the potential of the extract in mitigating liver damage.…”

“…The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, and damage from toxic chemicals can lead to increased levels of serum transaminases, enzymes that are released into the bloodstream. Serum transaminases are commonly utilised as indicators of liver disease due to their sensitivity and reliability (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022). Consistent with previous studies, the activities of serum ALT and AST were elevated in the CCl4 intoxicated group (Group 2) compared to the normal saline-treated group (Group 1) (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022).…”

“…Serum transaminases are commonly utilised as indicators of liver disease due to their sensitivity and reliability (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022). Consistent with previous studies, the activities of serum ALT and AST were elevated in the CCl4 intoxicated group (Group 2) compared to the normal saline-treated group (Group 1) (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022). Following CCl4 administration, liver damage can lead to increased membrane permeability and changes in transport function, resulting in the release of cytoplasmic hepatic enzymes like ALT and AST into the bloodstream (Li et al, 2015;Vun-Sang et al, 2022).…”

“…In groups 3 and 4, where rats were pre-treated with H. coronaria extract and then treated with CCl4, the activities of ALT and AST were dose-dependently reduced compared to group 2, suggesting the potential of the extract in mitigating liver damage. This effect could be attributed to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Singh et al, 2016) and possible hepatic damage repair (Vun-Sang et al, 2022).…”

Tamarix articulata Induced Prevention of Hepatotoxicity Effects of In Vivo Carbon Tetrachloride by Modulating Pro-Inflammatory Serum and Antioxidant Enzymes to Reverse the Liver Fibrosis

“…One of the potent environmental toxicants is carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). Upon the administration of CCl 4 into the body orally or through systemic circulation, the detoxifying enzyme cytochrome P-450 present in the liver converts CCl 4 into a more toxic form called the trichloromethyl radical (CCl 3 + ) through a process called biotransformation [ 7 ]. In the presence of oxygen, CCl 3 + is converted into a highly reactive radical form called trichloromethylperoxy (CCl 3 OO + ) [ 8 ].…”