The effects of Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extract on biochemical indices and apoptosis in partially hepatectomized liver in rats

Abstract

Crataegus species have been widely used in herbal medicine, especially for the hearth diseases. In the present study, the effect of Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extract on partially hepatectomized rats was investigated with biochemical and TUNEL apoptosis assays. The extracts of the plant at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1 ml/100 g body weight/day were administered orally to the two experimental groups including partially hepatectomized rats for 42 days. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed, blood was collected for the assessment of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and the liver tissue was used for TUNEL assay. In biochemical assay, it was found a significant decrease in the levels of serum ALT and AST in the experimental groups. On the other hand, the plant extract did not cause any significant changes in the level of GGT in these groups. In apoptosis assay, TUNEL positive hepatocytes could not be detected in both experimental groups. The present findings can suggest that Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extract can decrease the levels of serum ALT and AST and play a role in apoptosis of hepatocytes in the liver of partially hepatectomized rats. However, further studies are required to confirm the effects of the plant extract on hepatoprotection and apoptosis in the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy in animal models.

Potential Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and Hepatoprotective Effects ofCrataegus Meyeri

“…dentata extract can decrease the levels of serum ALT and AST and play a role in apoptosis of hepatocytes in the liver of partially hepatectomized rats (Keskin et al . ). In this study, the extracts of C. meyeri may increase the regeneration rate in hepatocytes in comparison to control group in the liver of partially hepatectomized rats.…”

Ethanol Extract of Crataegus Oxyacantha L. Ameliorate Dietary Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat

“…In Keskin et al study Crataegus aronia var reduction of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, BD and BT levels were reported partial hepatectomized rats with no change in GGT level [28]. The Ozay C et al showed the anti-proliferative and antioxidant capacity of Crataegus meyeri, and reported reduced levels of ALT and AST in partial hepatectomized rat following Crataegus meyeri administration but no change in GGT level [29].…”

Potential Roles and Key Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extract against Various Liver Diseases

“…Although the C. oxyacantha extract exhibited similarities against alcohol inducers, the hepatoprotective effects of the extract can be distinguished by the increase in liver glycogen levels, lack of which easily causes hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance [42]. In contrast to other causative factors, including lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), CCl 4 , cadmium, and hepatectomy, which are harmful to the liver, hawthorn extracts also reversed abnor-mal serum markers and impaired liver tissue via the inhibition of PARP cleavage and TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, and activation of the hepatic antioxidant system [43][44][45][46][47].…”