Hepatoprotective effect of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil

Hepatoprotective activity of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil (FEO) was studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury model in rats. The hepatotoxicity produced by acute CCl(4) administration was found to be inhibited by FEO with evidence of decreased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. The results of this study indicate that FEO has a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage in rats.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Ginkgoselect Phytosome in rifampicin induced liver injury in rats: evidence of antioxidant activity

The protective effects of Ginkgoselect Phytosome((R)) (GBP) on Rifampicin (RMP) induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanism(s) involved in this protection were investigated in rats. Liver damage was induced in Wistar rats by administering rifampicin (500 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 30 days. Simultaneously, GBP at 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, and the reference drug silymarin (100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 30 days/daily to RMP treated rats. Levels of marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and SALP), albaumin (Alb) and total proteins (TP) were assessed in serum. The effects of GBP on lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were assayed in liver homogenates to evaluate antioxidant activity. GBP (25 and 50 mg/kg) and silymarin elicited a significant hepatoprotective activity by lowering the levels of serum marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPX, GR, Alb and TP in a dose dependant manner. The present findings suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of GBP in RMP induced oxidative damage may be related to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.     

Thyroid inhibitory,antiperoxidative and hypoglycemic effects of stigmasterol isolated from Butea monosperma

Stigmasterol, isolated from the bark of Butea monosperma was evaluated for its thyroid hormone and glucose regulatory efficacy in mice. Its administration at 2.6 mg/kg/d for 20 days reduced serum triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxin (T₄) and glucose concentrations as well as the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phophatase (G-6-Pase) with a concomitant increase in insulin indicating its thyroid inhibiting and hypoglycemic properties. A decrease in the hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) suggested its antioxidative potential. The highest concentration tested (5.2 mg/kg) evoked pro-oxidative activity.     

Type 2 antidiabetic activity of bergenin from the roots of Caesalpinia digyna Rottler

Bergenin, a major constituent of Caesalpinia digyna Rottler (Leguminosae) was isolated from its roots and was characterized by comparing its melting point and spectroscopic data (IR, (1)H, (13)C, Mass Spectra) with standard bergenin. Isolated bergenin was then evaluated for antidiabetic (Type 2) activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Bergenin was administered at doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg; p.o. to normal rats which were subjected to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Bergenin at same dose level was given to diabetic rats and fasting blood glucose level was estimated on 0th, 7th and 14th day of treatment while plasma lipids, antioxidant enzymes and liver glycogen level in diabetic rats were estimated on 14th day of treatment followed by histopathological studies of pancreas. Bergenin at 10mg/kg; p.o. was found to reduce blood glucose level significantly in OGTT (P<0.01) while it showed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose level in diabetic rats at same dose level only on 14th day of treatment. Bergenin in all dose levels reversed plasma lipid (reduced elevated TC, LDL-C and increased HDL-C level) profile to normal values except TG. However, bergenin showed no significant effect on liver glycogen at all dose level. The decrease in lipid peroxides and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver illustrated the antioxidant potential of bergenin. Histopathological studies demonstrated the regenerative effect of bergenin on pancreatic β cells. Hence, bergenin isolated from C. digyna possesses significant antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity in Type 2 diabetic rats.     

Effects of compound K on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Compound K (CK) is a final metabolite of panaxadiol ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. Although anti-diabetic activity of CK has been reported in recent years, the molecular mechanism of CK in the treatment of diabetes mellitus remains unclear. In the present investigation, we established a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with insulin resistance using high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ), and attempted to verify more details and exact mechanisms in the treatment of T2DM. CK was administered orally at three doses [300, 100 and 30 mg/kg bodyweight (b.w.)] to the diabetic rats. Bodyweight, food-intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), insulin sensitivity (ISI), total glycerin (TG), total cholesterol (TC), as well as oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. According to our results, CK could improve bodyweight and food-intake of diabetic rats. CK exhibited dose-dependent reduction of FBG, TG and TC of diabetic rats. CK treatment also enhanced FINS and ISI. Meanwhile, the glucose tolerance observed in the present study was improved significantly by CK. It is concluded from the results that CK may have improving effects on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance of diabetic rats. Furthermore, research showed that CK could promote the expression of InsR, IRS1, PI3Kp85, pAkt and Glut4 in skeletal muscle tissue of diabetic rats. These results indicate that the hypoglycemic activity of CK is mediated by improvement of insulin sensitivity, which is closely related to PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Ionic homeostasis and reactive oxygen species control in leaves and xylem sap of two poplars subjected to NaCl stress

We investigated the effects of increasing soil NaCl concentration on intracellular compartmentalization of salt and on the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbic peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR)) and their role in the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS; O(2)(-*) and H(2)O(2)) in leaves and xylem sap of salt-tolerant Populus euphratica Oliv. and salt-sensitive P. popularis cv. 35-44. Mesophyll cells of P. euphratica exhibited a high capacity for NaCl exclusion and compartmentalization of salt in vacuoles compared with P. popularis. In P. popularis, the salt treatment resulted in large accumulations of Na(+) and Cl(-) in leaves that induced significant increases in O(2)(-*) and H(2)O(2) production despite marked increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and xylem sap. Separation of the isoforms of leaf SOD, APX and CAT by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by in-gel activity staining revealed that the salt-induced activities of APX and CAT were the result of increases in activities of all the isoenzymes. Leaf injury and shedding of aged leaves occurred following the oxidative burst in P. popularis, indicating that the increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in P. popularis were insufficient to counter the harmful effects of ROS at high soil NaCl concentrations. Unlike P. popularis plants, P. euphratica plants did not exhibit an oxidative burst in response to the NaCl treatments, because of (1) a high salt exclusion capacity and effective compartmentalization of salt in vacuoles, and (2) up-regulation of antioxidant enzymatic activities after the onset of salt stress. We conclude that P. euphratica plants subjected to saline conditions control ROS homeostasis through two pathways: (1) by maintaining cellular ionic homeostasis and thereby limiting the NaCl-induced enhancement of ROS production under long-term saline conditions; and (2) by rapidly up-regulating antioxidant defenses to prevent oxidative damage.     

The role of antioxidant system in freezing acclimation-induced freezing resistance of Populus suaveolens cuttings

We investigated the changes in the contents of H2O2, malonaldehyde (MDA) and endogenous antioxidants, the activities of protective enzymes and some critical enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione (ASA-GSH) cycle as well as freezing resistance (expressed as LT50) and correlations mentioned above, in detail using Populus suaveolens cuttings. The purpose was to explore the physiological mechanism of the enhancement of freezing resistance induced by freezing acclimation at –20°C, and to elucidate the physiological mechanisms by which trees adapt to freezing. The results showed that freezing acclimation enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR). And it increased the contents of reduced ascorbate (ASA), reduced glutathione (GSH), dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). However, H2O2 and MDA contents and LT50 of cuttings were decreased. LT50 in cuttings was found to be closely correlated to the levels of SOD, POD, CAT, APX, DHAR, MDAR, GR, H2O2, MDA, ASA, GSH, DHA and GSSG during freezing acclimation. This suggested that the enhancement of freezing resistance of cuttings induced by freezing acclimation may relate to the distinct increase for the levels of SOD, POD, CAT, APX, DHAR, MDAR, GR, ASA, GSH, DHA, and GSSG. In addition, the observed levels of APX, DHAR, MDAR, GR, ASA, DHA, GSH and GSSG were higher than those of SOD, POD and CAT during freezing acclimation. It indicated that a higher capacity of the ASA-GSH cycle is required for H2O2 detoxification, and growth and development of cuttings. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the ASA-GSH cycle plays an important role in enhancement of freezing resistance of P. suaveolens cuttings during freezing acclimation.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Clerodendrum inerme against CCl4 induced hepatic injury in rats

The ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum inerme leaves were screened for its hepatoprotective activity in CCl(4) (0.5 ml/kg, i.p) induced liver damage in Swiss albino rats at a dose of 200 mg /kg bw. The ethanolic extract of C. inerme significantly (P<0.001) decreases the serum enzyme alanine amino transferase (ALT), asparate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), triglycerides (TGL), total cholesterol (TC) and significantly increased the glutathione level. Silymarin (25 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug used for comparison exhibited significant activity (P<0.001). The extract did not shown any mortality up to a dose of 2000 g/kg bw.     

Hepatoprotective effects of polyprenols from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The hepatoprotective effects of polyprenols from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. The elevated levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, ALB, TP, HA, LN, TG, and CHO were restored towards normalization significantly by GBP in a dose dependent manner. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Meanwhile, GBP also produced a significant and dose-dependent reversal of CCl₄-diminished activity of the antioxidant enzymes and reduced CCl₄-elevated level of MDA. In general, the effects of GBP were not significantly different from those of the standard drug Essentiale.     

Effects of mechanical damage and herbivore wounding on H_2O_2 metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities in hybrid poplar leaves

The changes of hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities in a hybrid poplar(Populus simonii ×P.pyramidalis ‘Opera 8277') in response to mechanical damage(MD) and herbivore wounding(HW) were investigated to determine whether H2O2 could function as the secondary messenger in the signaling of systemic resistance.Results show that H2O2 was generated in wounded leaves through MD and HW treatments and systemically in unwounded leaves around the wounded leaves.The activities of antioxida...     

Compound Cordyceps TCM-700C exhibits potent hepatoprotective capability in animal model

A herbal preparation “Compound Codyceps-TCM-700C (CC-700C)” was tested for hepatoprotective effect against the carbon tetrachloride induced liver damages in Sprague-Dawley rat model for a period of 6-weeks. Two dosage levels of CC-700C, respectively 286.2 mg/kg-bw (L-TCM) and 2862 mg/kg-bw (H-TCM), and a positive control Silymarin (Sigma) were used to compare their therapeutic effect. Both CC-700C's and Silymarin showed nontoxic in nature, as evidenced by body weight gain, organ weights and appearance including liver, spleen, and kidney. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) were more effectively suppressed by CC-700C than Silymarin. In addition, all levels of serum bilirubin, serum albumin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), platelet count (PLT), and prothombin time (PT) except TG were shown effectively restored to normal values by CC-700C and Silymarin. Moreover, although levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were equally maintained by these three preparations, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was suppressed only by H-TCM, and SOD only by Silymarin. In contrast, the activity of catalase efficiently recovered to control level on administration of CC-700C, being far better than Silymarin. Finally the liver collagen content, an indication of fibrosis, was also significantly suppressed by CC-700C, better effect was by L-TCM, but both levels were superior to Silymarin. Conclusively, the herbal preparation “Compound Cordyceps TCM-700C” is a potent hepatoprotective preparation. For therapeutic use, a dosage of 286.2 mg/kg-bw would be sufficiently effective.     

菲胁迫下蒿柳抗氧化系统的响应

[目的]研究菲胁迫下活性氧和抗氧化物质的变化规律,探究蒿柳抗氧化系统的防御机制,为提高其对多环芳烃(PAHs)的抗性及加强植物修复的研究提供理论依据。[方法]以蒿柳扦插苗为试验材料,采用水培方式,研究其在0、1.0 mg·L^-1菲处理下活性氧、抗氧化酶、抗氧化剂以及丙二醛(MDA)的动态变化,处理时间为16 d。[结果]研究表明:(1)菲处理后第4天,H2O2含量和氧自由基(O2^·-)生成速率迅速增加,MDA含量升高,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著上升;第8天超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著升高;第16天时,H2O2含量下降到与对照无显著差异,O2^·-和MDA的增加量下降。(2)还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)在处理后第4天即迅速上升,谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)呈缓慢上升趋势。(3)还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量在处理后第4天低于对照,但随着处理时间的延长呈上升趋势,在第16天时高于对照。[结论]菲胁迫下,O2^·-是造成细胞膜脂过氧化的主要活性氧,SOD活性一直高于对照,但不足以清除增加的O2^·-,CAT和POD的升高可以清除过量的H2O2;GSH是抵御菲胁迫的有效抗氧化剂,并通过GST的催化参与菲的解毒。     

Preliminary toxicity study on the individual and combined effects of Citrullus colocynthis and Nerium oleander in rats

The toxicity of diet containing 10% of Citrullus colocynthis fruits or 10% of Nerium oleander leaves or their 1:1 mixture (5%+5%) for rats treated for 6 weeks was determined. Dullness, ruffled hair, decreased body weight gains and feed efficiency, and enterohepatonephropathy characterised treatment with C. colocynthis and N. oleander given alone. Diarrhoea was a prominent sign of C. colocynthis poisoning. Organ lesions were accompanied by leucopenia, anaemia and alterations in serum AST, ALT and ALP activities and concentrations of total protein, albumin, urea, bilirubin and other serum constituents. Feeding the mixture of C. colocynthis and N. oleander caused more marked effects and death of rats.     

Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents.

Berberis aristata is an edible plant employed in the South Asian Traditional Medicine, particularly its fruits being used as a tonic remedy for liver and heart. In this investigation, berberine, a known compound from this plant, was studied for its possible antihepatotoxic action in rats. Pretreatment of animals with berberine (4 mg/kg; orally twice daily for 2 days) prevented the acetaminophen- or CCl4-induced rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransaminases (AST and ALT), suggestive of hepatoprotection. Post-treatment with three successive oral doses of berberine (4 mg/kg every 6 h) reduced the hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen, while CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was not modified, suggesting a selective curative effect against acetaminophen. Pretreatment of animals with a single oral dose of berberine (4 mg/kg) induced prolongation of the pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced sleeping time as well as increased strychnine (0.3 mg/kg; i.p.)-induced toxicity, suggestive of inhibitory effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450s (CYPs).     

A novel hepatoprotective saponin from Celosia cristata L.

A new saponin, cristatain (1), together with four other saponins, celosin A (2), celosin B (3), celosin C (4) and celosin D (5) were isolated from the seeds of Celosia cristata L. (Amaranthaceae). Their structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. For the first time, the saponins were found in C. cristata L. In addition, compound 1 exhibited significant hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)- and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)–induced hepatotoxicity in mice, which were evidenced by significant decreases in the values of asparate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of serum and histopathological examinations compared to controls.     

Comparative Study on Antioxidative System in Normal and Vitrified Shoots of Populus suaveolens in Tissue Culture

To explore the physiological and biochemical mechanism of the occurrence of vitrified shoots of Populus suaveolens in tissue culture, the changes in water, chlorphyll, lignin, H202, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), malonaldehyde (MDA), protective enzymatic systems, and some key enzymes involved in the ascorbate- glutathione cycle were comparatively studied in both normal and vitrified shoots of P suaveolens. The results show that the lower activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR) and PAL, and the less contents of chlorphyll, lignin, ascorbate (ASA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the lower ratios of ASA / DHA and GSH / GSSG are observed in vitrified shoots than in normal ones during the whole culture period, While in comparison with normal shoots, the higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the more concentrations of water, H2O2, MDA, dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) are found in vitrified shoots. Statistical analysis indicates that the enhanced activity of SOD and the decreased activities of CAT and POD as well as some enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle might be closely correlated to the accumulation of H202. The less regeneration of ASA and GSH and the lower capacity of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle observed in vitrified shoots might be due to a significant decrease in APX, MDAR, DHAR and GR activities and a decline in redox status of ASA and GSH. The decreases in chlorphyll content might result in a decline in photosynthesis. The lower activities of POD and PAL could result in the decrease of lignin synthesis and cell wall ligination, which might be the key factor leading to the increase in water content. It is concluded that the deficiency of detoxification capacity caused by the lower capacity of the ascorbate-glutathione pathway and the decreased activity of protective enzymatic system might lead to the large accumulation of H2O2 and the enhancement of membrane lipid peroxidation, which might be the main cause leading to the occurrence of vitrifying shoots of P.suaveolens in tissue culture.     

Comparative study on antioxidative system in normal and vitrified shoots of Populus suaveolens in tissue culture

To explore the physiological and biochemical mechanism of the occurrence of vitrified shoots of Populus suaveolens in tissue culture, the changes in water, chlorphyll, lignin, H₂O₂, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), malonaldehyde (MDA), protective enzymatic systems, and some key enzymes involved in the ascorbate- glutathione cycle were comparatively studied in both normal and vitrified shoots of P. suaveolens. The results show that the lower activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR) and PAL, and the less contents of chlorphyll, lignin, ascorbate (ASA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the lower ratios of ASA / DHA and GSH / GSSG are observed in vitrified shoots than in normal ones during the whole culture period. While in comparison with normal shoots, the higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the more concentrations of water, H₂O₂, MDA, dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) are found in vitrified shoots. Statistical analysis indicates that the enhanced activity of SOD and the decreased activities of CAT and POD as well as some enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle might be closely correlated to the accumulation of H₂O₂. The less regeneration of ASA and GSH and the lower capacity of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle observed in vitrified shoots might be due to a significant decrease in APX, MDAR, DHAR and GR activities and a decline in redox status of ASA and GSH. The decreases in chlorphyll content might result in a decline in photosynthesis. The lower activities of POD and PAL could result in the decrease of lignin synthesis and cell wall ligination, which might be the key factor leading to the increase in water content. It is concluded that the deficiency of detoxification capacity caused by the lower capacity of the ascorbate-glutathione pathway and the decreased activity of protective enzymatic system might lead to the large accumulation of H₂O₂ and the enhancement of membrane lipid peroxidation, which might be the main cause leading to the occurrence of vitrifying shoots of P. suaveolens in tissue culture. [Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30271093) and the Foundation of State-designated Base for Biology Researching and Teaching in Beijing Forestry University]     

干旱胁迫及复水对绿竹容器苗生理特征的影响

[目的]探究模拟干旱环境下水分亏缺对绿竹容器苗主要营养器官生理特性的影响,为绿竹规模化育苗栽培制定适宜的经营管理及节水灌溉技术方案提供理论依据。[方法]以绿竹组培苗为试验材料,采用盆栽苗控水方式,测定分析不同干旱胁迫条件下绿竹叶片及根系抗氧化酶、膜脂渗透性、叶片光合色素含量、以及根系活力等生理指标。[结果]表明:随着干旱胁迫加重,绿竹叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量明显下降,各处理间均达到差异显著(P0.05),复水后叶绿素a、叶绿素b、及类胡萝卜素含量均明显升高,其中叶绿素a、叶绿素b达到差异显著(P0.05),但类胡萝卜素差异不显著(P0.05);干旱胁迫下,根系活力呈明显下降趋势,中度干旱胁迫(MS)和重度干旱胁迫(SS)根系活力分别比对照(CK)下降14.35%、33.31%,均达到差异显著(P0.05),复水后,根系活力均明显升高,分别达到了CK处理根系活力的96.75%、73.84%;干旱胁迫下,根系及叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量均呈上升趋势,且在复水后均呈现一定下降趋势,表现为中度干旱胁迫后复水(MS-CK)降低程度高于重度干旱胁迫后复水(SS-CK),各处理间均达到差异显著(P0.05)。[结论]模拟干旱环境下,增加干旱胁迫程度,绿竹的根系活力及叶片色素含量呈显著降低,MDA含量及SOD、CAT、POD活性均升高。复水后,根系活力及叶片色素含量较干旱胁迫时有所提高,MDA含量及SOD、CAT、POD活性有明显下降,不同干旱程度补偿能力不同,表现为中度干旱胁迫后复水高于重度干旱胁迫后复水,且不同营养器官对于解除干旱后消除活性氧及修复适应能力也不尽相同。绿竹根系活力和叶绿素含量与干旱胁迫程度呈负相关,而保护酶SOD、CAT、POD活性以及MDA含量均与干旱胁迫程度呈正相关。     

Swietenine: A potential oral hypoglycemic from Swietenia macrophylla seed

Swietenine, a tetranortriterpenoid, was isolated from the Swietenia macrophylla seeds. The in vivo hypoglycemic activity was evaluated against neonatal-streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats. Oral administration of swietenine at 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight per day to diabetic rats was found to possess significant dose dependant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in type 2 diabetic rats.     

Hepatoprotective effect of curcumin in lipopolysaccharide/-galactosamine model of liver injury in rats: relationship to HO-1/CO antioxidant system

This work studied a relationship between HO-1/CO system and lipid peroxidation with consequent effects on liver functions and NOS-2. We focused on curcumin pretreatment in rat toxic model of d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. Hepatocyte viability, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, ALT and AST were evaluated. HO-1 and NOS-2 expressions and respective enzyme activity were determined. Curcumin caused decreases in ALT and AST levels as well as in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, curcumin pretreatment increased liver HO-1 (2.4-fold, p = 0.001), but reduced NOS-2 (4.1-fold, p = 0.01) expressions. In conclusion, the tuning of CO/NO pathways is important in shedding light on curcumin's cytoprotective effects in this model.