Hepatoprotective potential of Tamarindus indica following prenatal aluminum exposure in Wistar rat pups

Abstract

Over time, the use of plant-derived agents in the management of various human health conditions has gained a lot of attention. The study assessed the hepatoprotective potential of ethyl acetate fraction Tamarindus indica leaves (EFTI) during prenatal aluminum chloride exposure. Pregnant rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 4); Group I rats were administered 2 ml kg^-1 of distilled water (negative control), Group II rats received only 200 mg kg^-1 aluminum chloride (positive control), Group III rats were administered 200 mg kg^-1 aluminum chloride and 400 mg kg^-1 EFTI, Group IV rats were administered 200 mg kg^-1 aluminum chloride and 800 mg kg^-1 EFTI, Group V rats were administered 200 mg kg^-1 aluminum chloride and 300 mg kg^-1 Vit E (comparative control). On postnatal day 1, the pups were euthanized, and liver tissues were harvested for the biochemical study (tissue levels of malondialdehyde, caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferases) and the liver histological examination. The administration of EFTI was marked with significant improvement in the tissue levels of malondialdehyde, caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferases. There was a marked improvement in histopathological changes associated with prenatal aluminum chloride exposure. In conclusion, the administration of EFTI was protective during prenatal aluminum chloride exposure of the liver in Wistar rats, and is mediated by the anti-lipid peroxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activity of EFTI.

Keywords: Aluminum toxicity; Caspase-3; Medicinal plant; Reticular fiber; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Result of MDA analysis following treatment with EFTI during prenatal AlCl₃ exposure (n = 5). Values are presented as mean ± SEM, ^# represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to normal control, * represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the 200 mg kg⁻¹ treated group.

Fig. 2

Result of caspase-3 analysis following treatment with EFTI during prenatal AlCl₃ exposure (n = 5). Values are presented as mean ± SEM, ^# represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to normal control, * represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the 200 mg kg⁻¹ treated group.

Fig. 3

Result of the analysis of TNF-α level (n = 5) following treatment with EFTI during prenatal AlCl₃ exposure (n = 5). Values are presented as mean ± SEM, ^# represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to normal control, * represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the 200 mg kg⁻¹ treated group.

Fig. 4

Result of the analysis of liver enzymes; mean concentration of Alanine amino transaminase (A), Aspartate amino transaminase (B), and Alkaline phosphatase (C) on PoND 1 following administration of EFTI during prenatal AlCl₃ exposure. ALT: Alanine amino transaminase, ALP: Alkaline phosphatase, AST: Aspartate amino transaminase; Values are presented as mean ± SEM, ^# represents significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to normal control.

Fig. 5

Liver sections from the different treatment groups on PoND 1, hepatocytes (yellow arrow), aggregation hemopoietic cells (blue arrow), vacuolation (orange arrow) (H and E × 250). Legend: Negative control (distilled water) (3 A), positive control (200 mg kg⁻¹ bw of AlCl₃) (3B), 200 mg kg^− 1 bw of AlCl₃ + 400 mg kg^− 1 bw EFTI (3 C), 200 mg kg^− 1 bw of AlCl₃ + 800 mg kg^− 1 bw EFTI (3D), and 200 mg kg^− 1 bw of AlCl₃ + 300 mg kg^− 1 bw of Vit E (3E).