Hepatoprotective effect of Bathysa cuspidata in a murine model of severe toxic liver injury

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of a bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata extract (BCE) in a murine model of severe liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ). Forty-two Wistar rats were randomized into six groups of seven animals each: Group 1(G1): CCl(4) ; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + CCl(4) ; Group 3 (G3): BCE 400 mg/kg alone; Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 mg/kg + CCl(4) ; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 mg/kg + CCl(4) ; Group 6 (G6): DMSO alone. The extract was administered by gavage for 18 days beginning 6 days prior to the first application of CCl(4) . After completing CCl(4) administration, the animals were euthanized. The animals in G1, G2, G4 and G5 experienced significant body weight loss and had an increased liver somatic index compared with G3 and G6 (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in serum aspartate and alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in the activity of the anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase were found in G5 (P < 0.05). Lower proportions of cellular necrosis and lipid droplets were found in the livers of animals in G4 and G5 compared with G1 and G2 (P < 0.05). These results confirm the marked hepatoprotective activity of the bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata in severe injuries induced by CCl(4) in rats and suggest that this effect may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative damage.

Figure 1

Effects of treatment with bark extract of B. cuspidata extract (BCE 200 and 400 mg/kg) on hepatic levels of lipid hydroperoxides in Wistar rats exposed to CCl4 (60% v/v, 1 ml/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. Group 1 (G1): CCl4; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) + CCl4; Group 3 (G3): BCE (400 mg/kg); Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 + CCl4; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 + CCl4; Group 6 (G6): DMSO. The data are expressed as means ± SD. a,b,c Different letters in columns indicate statistical significance between the groups (P < 0.05), and groups with the same letter do not differ statistically, anova followed by Tukey's test.

Figure 2

Representative photomicrographs of the liver tissue from Wistar rats observed under light microscope (hematoxylin and eosin, bar = 150 μm). Note Hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (60% v/v, 1 ml/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. Group 1 (G1): CCl4; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) + CCl4; Group 3 (G3): B. cuspidata extract (BCE) (400 mg/kg); Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 + CCl4; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 + CCl4; Group 6 (G6): DMSO.

Figure 3

Effects of treatment with bark extract of B. cuspidata extract (BCE 200 and 400 mg/kg) on the proportion of lipid droplets and cell necrosis in the liver tissue of Wistar rats exposed to CCl4 (60% v/v, 1 ml/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. Group 1 (G1): CCl4; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + CCl4; Group 3 (G3): BCE (400 mg/kg); Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 + CCl4; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 + CCl4; Group 6 (G6): DMSO. The data are expressed as means ± SD. a,b,c Different letters indicate statistical significance between the groups (P < 0.05), and groups with the same letter do not differ statistically, anova followed by Tukey's test.

Figure 4

Effects of treatment with bark extract of B. cuspidata extract (BCE 200 and 400 mg/kg) on hepatic activity of Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Wistar rats exposed to CCl4 (60% v/v, 1 ml/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. Group 1 (G1): CCl4; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + CCl4; Group 3 (G3): BCE (400 mg/kg); Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 + CCl4; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 + CCl4; Group 6 (G6): DMSO. The data are expressed as means ± SD. a,b,c Different letters indicate statistical significance between the groups (P < 0.05), and groups with the same letter do not differ statistically, anova followed by Tukey's test.