Hepatoprotective effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

From by-products to new application opportunities: the enhancement of the leaves deriving from the fruit plants for new potential healthy products

In the last decades, the world population and demand for any kind of product have grown exponentially. The rhythm of production to satisfy the request of the population has become unsustainable and the concept of the linear economy, introduced after the Industrial Revolution, has been replaced by a new economic approach, the circular economy. In this new economic model, the concept of "the end of life" is substituted by the concept of restoration, providing a new life to many industrial wastes. Leaves are a by-product of several agricultural cultivations. In recent years, the scientific interest regarding leaf biochemical composition grew, recording that plant leaves may be considered an alternative source of bioactive substances. Plant leaves' main bioactive compounds are similar to those in fruits, i.e., phenolic acids and esters, flavonols, anthocyanins, and procyanidins. Bioactive compounds can positively influence human health; in fact, it is no coincidence that the leaves were used by our ancestors as a natural remedy for various pathological conditions. Therefore, leaves can be exploited to manufacture many products in food (e.g., being incorporated in food formulations as natural antioxidants, or used to create edible coatings or films for food packaging), cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries (e.g., promising ingredients in anti-aging cosmetics such as oils, serums, dermatological creams, bath gels, and other products). This review focuses on the leaves' main bioactive compounds and their beneficial health effects, indicating their applications until today to enhance them as a harvesting by-product and highlight their possible reuse for new potential healthy products.

Chemosensitization Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Pulp Oil via Autophagy and Senescence in NSCLC Cells

The research has demonstrated a synergistic anticancer effect of Seabuckthorn pulp oil (SBO) and the standard chemotherapy regimen Docetaxel (DTX) against two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines: A549 and H23. The synergizing effect of an SBO and DTX combination was detected utilizing SRB assay and combination index (CI) approaches. Flow cytometry was carried out using fluorescent probes to measure cell cycle analysis by DNA content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further, we demonstrated that the synergistic anticancer activity of SBO merged with DTX was achieved by caspase-independent autophagy and senescence induction. These changes were concomitant with increased generation of ROS production and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) protein expression, G1-phase arrest, and enhanced senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining activity. Our data also demonstrated that SBO or DTX treatment groups solely upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK, which coincided with the induction of autophagy vacuoles and was functionally associated with ROS activation. Moreover, endogenous LC3 puncta staining was performed and monitored by confocal microscopy. Overall, these results suggest new mechanisms for the antitumor activity of SBO co-treated with DTX through triggering autophagic cell death and senescence against cancer cells as a result of sustained ERK phosphorylation and intracellular ROS production in NSCLC. In addition, we also highlight SBO as an alternative therapeutic option or adjunct therapeutic strategy in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in lung cancer therapy management.

Protective Effects of Chlorogenic Acid against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

The protective effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) against liver injury were evaluated by its reduction in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice. The animals were orally given CGA (60, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) or silymairn (200 mg/kg) daily with 0.3% CCl4 administration (3 mL/kg, dissolved in olive oil) after medicament treatment on the 7th day. Compared with the normal group, CCl4 caused severe impairment in liver according to the evidence of significant reduction in the level of total albumin and expansion (p < 0.05) of the activities in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and total albumin in serum, decreased the level of glutathione (GSH), and diminished the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver while increasing the level of hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). However, oral administration of CGA or silymarin could significantly (p < 0.05) decrease the serum levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, TG, and total albumin and elevated the serum total albumin and the activities of GSH, catalase, SOD, GSH-Rd, and GSH-Px while leading to decline the TBARS in liver compared with CCl4-intoxicated group. Moreover, histopathology displayed that CGA decreased the formation of lesions in liver resulted from CCl4. The outcomes indicate that CGA shows the efficiency hepatoprotective consequences for CCl4-incited liver injuries in mice by the elevation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes and hindrance of lipid peroxidation.

West meets east: open up a dialogue on phytomedicine

The desire to extend the wisdom of traditional health systems has motivated the trade of many phytomedicine on a global scale for centuries, especially some dietary herbs, making a great overlap exits between western and eastern phytomedicine. Despite the communication since ancient times, a key disconnect still exists in the dialog among western and eastern herbal researchers. There is very little systematic effort to tap into the friction and fusion of eastern and western wisdom in utilizing phytomedicine. In this review, we analyzed the similarities and differences of three representative phytomedicine, namely Rhodiola, seabuckthorn, and fenugreek, aiming to open up new horizons in developing novel health products by integrating the wisdom of the east and the west.

Induction of liver fibrosis by CCl4 mediates pathological alterations in the spleen and lymph nodes: The potential therapeutic role of propolis

In an animal models, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a carcinogenic agent that causes liver fibrosis. The current study aims to investigate whether induction in liver-fibrosis by CCl4 in the mouse model could promote the initiation of fibrosis in lymph node and spleen due to sustained increase of inflammatory signals and also aimed to clarify the protective therapeutic effects of propolis. The male mice (BALB/c) were categorized into three experimental sets and each group involved 15 mice. Control group falls into first group; group-II and group-III were injected with CCl4 to induce liver-fibrosis and oral supplementation with propolis was provided in group-III for 4-weeks. A major improvement with hepatic collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) production was aligned with the activation of liver fibrosis from CCl4. Mice treated with CCl4 exhibited collagen deposition towards liver sections, pathological alterations in spleen and lymph node architectures, and a significantly increase the circulation of both T&B cells in secondary lymphoid organs. Mechanically, the secondary lymphoid organs treated with CCl4 in mice exposed a positive growth in α-SMA and collagen expression, increased in proinflammatory cytokine levels and a significant increase in TGF-β, NO and ROS levels. A manifest intensification in the expression of Nrf2, COX-2, and eNOS and upregulation of ASK1 and P38 phosphorylation. Interestingly, addition of propolis-treated CCl4 mice, substantially suppressed deposition of liver collagen, repealed inflammatory signals and resorted CCl4-mediated alterations in signaling cascades, thereby repairing the architectures of the secondary lymphoid organs. Our findings revealed benefits of propolis against fibrotic complications and enhancing secondary lymphoid organ architecture.

Health promoting properties and sensory characteristics of phytochemicals in berries and leaves of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides)

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L., SB), as a multi-functional plant, is widely grown in Asia, Europe and Canada. The berries and leaves of SB contain a diverse array of health-supporting phytochemicals, which are also related to the sensory qualities of berry and berry products. This review summarizes the biologically active key-compounds of the berries and leaves of SB, their health-promoting effects, as well as the contributions to the sensory quality of the berries. The target compounds consist of sugars, sugar derivatives, organic acids, phenolic compounds and lipophilic compounds (mainly carotenoids and tocopherols), which play an important role in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, as well as in metabolic health. In addition, these compounds contribute to the orosensory qualities of SB berries, which are closely related to consumer acceptance and preference of the products. Studies regarding the bioavailability of the compounds and the influence of the processing conditions are also part of this review. Finally, the role of the sensory properties is emphasized in the development of SB products to increase utilization of the berry as a common meal component and to obtain value-added products to support human health.

Hepatoprotective effect of seabuckthorn leaf-extract in lead acetate-intoxicated Wistar rats

The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaf-extract (SLE) supplementation in lead acetate-intoxicated Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 35) were divided into five equal groups as per completely randomized design. Group I was kept as a control, group II received 250 ppm lead acetate in drinking water, and group III received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os. Animals in group IV and group V received lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water for the first 45 days. Additionally, group IV received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os throughout the experiment, whereas group V received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os during the last 15 days of the trial. Blood samples were collected on day zero and at the 45th and 60th day to study the liver function enzymes. Lead exposure caused increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and liver weight, and hepatic oxidative stress in lead acetate-intoxicated groups (groups II, IV, and V) as compared to group I. SLE on simultaneous supplementation with lead acetate (group IV) exerted a protective effect against lead toxicity. SLE supplemented after the establishment of lead acetate-toxicity (group V) also reduced the AST, ALT, and ALP activity and hepatic oxidative stress, indicating its ameliorative effect. SLE supplementation at 100 mg/kg body weight per os protects against hepatic damage caused by 250 ppm lead acetate in the drinking water of Wistar rats.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. polysaccharide enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, cytokine level, and related mRNA expression in intestinal porcine epithelial cells

Hippophae rhamnoides L. polysaccharide (HRP) has antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions. It has been reported that HRP can reduce the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of HRP on immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity in intestinal porcine jejunum epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. Effective conditions of HRP (0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 μg mL−1) were evaluated by pretreatment of IPEC-J2 cells for 24 h. The results showed that pretreatment with 0–600 μg mL−1 of HRP enhanced cell survival rate, while more than 600 μg mL−1 posed a threat to IPEC-J2 cell viability and lowered cell survival rate (p < 0.05). In addition, results revealed that, compared with the control group, the treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with 200–600 μg mL−1 of HRP for 24 h decreased ROS, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl levels, and cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha were elevated, and enhanced relative mRNA levels were also shown in the IPEC-J2 cells. Both the contents of immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin G elevated with the increases of HRP concentration (200, 400, and 600 μg mL−1), and an increase of catalase relative mRNA levels were also observed in IPEC-J2 cells. Data indicated that 600 μg mL−1 of HRP had a potent protective effect on IPEC-J2 cells. Taken together, these results suggested that HRP was effective in regulating intestinal epithelial cells in piglets.

Effect of dietary supplementation of sea buckthorn and giloe leaf meal on the body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, biochemical attributes, and meat composition of turkey poults

Aim

In the recent past, few studies have been carried out about sea buckthorn (SBT) and giloe in chicken as a part of the quest for suitable alternatives to antibiotics. However, studies in turkeys are lacking. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of SBT and giloe leaf meal by dietary feed supplementation in turkey poults.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1-day-old turkey poults (n=84) of small white variety were distributed into four dietary treatments having three replicates each with seven birds. The study was conducted in turkey poults during 0-8 weeks of age. During the experiment, the poults were fed basal ration (28% crude protein [CP], 2800 Kcal/kg ME) T1, T2-basal ration was supplemented with SBT leaf meal powder at 0.5%, T3-basal ration was supplemented with giloe leaf meal powder at 0.5%, and T4-basal ration was fed along with supplementation of both SBT at 0.5% and giloe leaf meal powder at 0.5%.

Results

T2 turkey poults had a significantly higher (p<0.01) body weight gain than T3 and T4 at 7^th week of age. Weekly body weight gain was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 than T3 during 5^th-8^th week and 0-8^th week of the growth phase. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly better (p<0.01) in T2 than other treatment groups during 4^th-8^th week phase of growth (2.09 vs. 2.36, 2.29 and 2.31). Further, FCR was significantly better (p<0.01) in T2 group as compared to other treatment groups during 0-8^th week of growth phase (1.95 vs. 2.21, 2.21 and 2.12). Plasma uric acid was found significantly increased (p<0.05) in T1 than T3 and T4, and alkaline phosphatase value was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T1 and T3 than T2. Zinc content of breast (pectoralis major) muscles was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 and T4 as compared to T1, while ether extract (EE) in thigh (ilio tibialis) muscles was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 as compared to the other treatment groups.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that supplementation of SBT leaf meal at 0.5% may improve production performance of turkey poults. Supplementation of 0.5% SBT leaf meal may result in higher levels of zinc and EE in the breast and thigh cuts of turkey poults.

Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil

Vegetable oils are obtained by mechanical extraction or cold pressing of various parts of plants, most often: seeds, fruits, and drupels. Chemically, these oils are compounds of the ester-linked glycerol and higher fatty acids with long aliphatic chain hydrocarbons (min. C14:0). Vegetable oils have a variety of properties, depending on their percentage of saturation. This article describes sea-buckthorn oil, which is extracted from the well characterized fruit and seeds of sea buckthorn. The plant has a large number of active ingredients the properties of which are successfully used in the cosmetic industry and in medicine. Valuable substances contained in sea-buckthorn oil play an important role in the proper functioning of the human body and give skin a beautiful and healthy appearance. A balanced composition of fatty acids give the number of vitamins or their range in this oil and explains its frequent use in cosmetic products for the care of dry, flaky or rapidly aging skin. Moreover, its unique unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitooleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6), give sea-buckthorn oil skin regeneration and repair properties. Sea-buckthorn oil also improves blood circulation, facilitates oxygenation of the skin, removes excess toxins from the body and easily penetrates through the epidermis. Because inside the skin the gamma-linolenic acid is converted to prostaglandins, sea-buckthorn oil protects against infections, prevents allergies, eliminates inflammation and inhibits the aging process. With close to 200 properties, sea-buckthorn oil is a valuable addition to health and beauty products.

Extreme effects of Seabuckthorn extracts on influenza viruses and human cancer cells and correlation between flavonol glycosides and biological activities of extracts

Seabuckthorn is a medicinal plant that is used to prevent cold. It was tested for its metabolic content followed by activity against cancer and virus. The metabolic distribution of different polarity solvent extractions from the leaves was analyzed by LC–MS/MS. Flavonol glycoside contents in EA and Bu extracts were higher than MeOH and DW was observed. MeOH and EA extracts recorded high activity against influenza A/PR virus with IC₅₀ of 7.2 μg/mL and 10.3 μg/mL compared with known drug Oseltamivir of 60.3 μg/mL. A similar trend showed in influenza A/Victoria virus. In case of influenza B viruses such as B/Lee and B/Maryland, EA extract (2.87 μg/mL and 4.5 μg/mL of IC₅₀) emerged strongest among other extracts and Oseltamivir (103.73 μg/mL and 71.6 μg/mL). Each extract showed potent anticancer activities. Interestingly, Bu extract showed stronger anticancer activity against human cancer cells such as NCL-H1299, HeLa, SKOV and Caski (8.2 μg/mL, 8.6 μg/mL, 18.2 μg/mL and 9.2 μg/mL of IC₅₀) respectively. Correlation study reveals that aglycones and flavonol mono-glycosides highly correlated with anti-influenza activities but not correlated with anticancer activities. Reversely, di-glycosides and tri-glycosides have a high correlation with cytotoxic effect with both normal and cancer cells. Therefore, this study provides significant information concerning Seabuckthorn for further medicinal drug development.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) as a potential source of nutraceutics and its therapeutic possibilities - a review

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is in the focus of interest mainly for its positive effects on health of both human and animal organisms. The whole plant of sea buckthorn and especially its berries are a source of a large number of different bioactive compounds. The greatest attention has been drawn to its high content of vitamins, minerals, natural antioxidants, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, and proteins. Sea buckthorn is valued for its antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects. Due to these and other positive effects, the plant is included in both human and animal nutrition, in the latter case to increase the biological value of animal products. This review summarises the botanical characteristics of sea buckthorn, lists the bio-active substances contained in individual parts of the plant, their effects in the prevention of a number of different diseases and their possible utilisation in human and animal nutrition.

Investigation on the antidepressant effect of sea buckthorn seed oil through the GC-MS-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate analysis

Depression is one of the prevalent and serious mental disorders and the number of depressed patients has been on the rise globally during the recent decades. Sea buckthorn seed oil from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is edible and has been widely used for treatment of different diseases for a long time. However, there are few published reports on the antidepressant effect of sea buckthorn seed oil. With the objective of finding potential biomarkers of the therapeutic response of sea buckthorn seed oil in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats, urine metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with multivariate analysis was applied. In this study, we discovered a higher level of pimelic acid as well as palmitic acid and a lower level of suberic acid, citrate, phthalic acid, cinnamic acid and Sumiki's acid in urine of rats exposed to CUMS procedures after sea buckthorn seed oil was administered. These changes of metabolites are involved in energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and other metabolic pathways as well as in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and it is helpful to facilitate the efficacy evaluation and mechanism elucidating the effect of sea buckthorn seed oil for depression management.

Sea buckthorn seed oil protects against the oxidative stress produced by thermally oxidized lipids

Thermally oxidized vegetable ghee was fed to the rabbits for 14 days with specific doses of sea buckthorn seed oil (SO). The ghee and SO were characterized for quality parameters and fatty acid composition using GC-MS. Rabbits serum lipid profile, hematology and histology were investigated. Major fatty acids were palmitic acid (44%) and oleic acid (46%) in ghee, while SO contains oleic acid (56.4%) and linoleic acid (18.7%). Results showed that oxidized vegetable ghee increases the serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterols, triglycerides and decrease the serum glucose. Oxidized ghee produced toxic effects in the liver and hematological parameters. Sea buckthorn oil supplementation significantly lowered the serum LDL-cholesterols, triglycerides and increased serum glucose and body weight of the animals. Sea buckthorn oil was found to reduce the toxic effects and degenerative changes in the liver and thus provides protection against the thermally oxidized lipids induced oxidative stress.

Pathology of ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity in Japanese quail and its protection by sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

The present study was designed to study the protective effect of sea buckthorn (SBT) against renal damage induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in Japanese quail. Day-old quail chicks were divided into six groups and fed a basal quail chick mash containing 2% SBT leaf powder (group SX), OTA at a dietary level of 3 ppm (group OX), 25 ppm L-beta-phenylalanine (Phe) plus 3 ppm OTA (group OP), 2% dietary level of SBT leaf powder plus 3 ppm OTA (group OS), SBT leaf extract at a level of 10%/L of drinking water plus 3 ppm OTA (group OSS), and a standard toxin-free feed (group CX, control) for 21 days. OTA at 3 ppm level in diet grossly revealed mild to moderate renal swelling in OX birds, and the severity was less in the case of OS, OSS, and OP birds. Microscopically, degenerative, necrotic, and inflammatory changes were observed in OX birds, but the changes were less severe in OS, OSS, and OP birds. Ultrastructural studies revealed remarkable and consistent changes in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs), with severe damage of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in OX birds, whereas SBT-treated birds (groups OS, OSS) had mild changes in mitochondria. A moderate to marked increase in number of peroxisomes in the cytoplasm of PCTs was a consistent finding in the Phe- and SBT-treated groups kept on OTA in comparison to the group fed OTA alone. In conclusion, the inclusion of 2% SBT leaf powder in feed and SBT leaf extract in water provided partial protection against OTA-induced nephropathy in Japanese quail.

Enhanced intestinal absorption activity and hepatoprotective effect of herpetrione via preparation of nanosuspensions using pH-dependent dissolving-precipitating/homogenization process

OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of this study was to enhance the intestinal absorption activity and hepatoprotective effect of herpetrione by drug nanosuspensions.

METHODS

Herpetrione nanosuspensions (HNS) were prepared using pH-dependent dissolving-precipitating/homogenization process and then systematically characterized. The intestinal absorption activity of HNS were studied using the recirculating perfusion technique in comparison with herpetrione coarse suspensions (HCS) and pure herpetrione using the recirculating perfusion technique. The protective effect of HNS against acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) in mice was also investigated and compared with that of HCS.

KEY FINDINGS

The mean particle size of HNS was 269 ± 7 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.187 ± 0.021. The result of X-ray powder diffraction indicated that herpetrione was in amorphous state in both coarse powder and nanosuspensions. The intestinal absorption activity of HNS were superior to the HCS and pure herpetrione. As evidenced by the lowering of serum aminotransferase levels and the improvement of the degree of liver lesion, pretreatment with HNS markedly enhanced the hepatoprotective effect of herpetrione against acute liver injury induced by CCl4 in mice.

CONCLUSION

HNS prepared using pH-dependent dissolving-precipitating/homogenization technique are able to significantly enhance the intestinal absorption activity and the hepatoprotective effect of herpetrione due to the particle size reduction.

The hepatoprotective effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries on induced aflatoxin B1 poisoning in chickens 1

The leaves and berries of sea buckthorn (SB; Hippophae rhamnoides; family Elaeagnaceae) are medically claimed as having phytoantioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticancerous properties in humans. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of oil from SB berries against toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. The toxicity of AFB1 led to lower total serum proteins and specifically reduced albumin (P < 0.001). Serum aspartate aminotransferase increased from 191.14 ± 11.56 to 218.80 ± 13.68 (P < 0.001). When chickens were simultaneously dosed with AFB1 and an extract of SB berries, subsequent histology of the liver showed a significant reduction of necrosis and fatty formation compared with chickens treated with AFB1 alone. Immunohistochemical results indicated that COX2, Bcl-2, and p53 were highly expressed in the liver of AFB1-treated chickens and their expression was significantly reduced by SB oil supplementation. The levels of AFB1 residues in chickens livers were significantly reduced by SB oil from 460.92 ± 6.2 ng/mL in the AFB1 group to 15.59 ± 6.1 ng/mL in the AFB1 and SB oil group. These findings suggest that SB oil has a potent hepatoprotective activity, reducing the concentration of aflatoxins in liver and diminishing their adverse effects.

Protective effect of L-theanine on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

We studied effects of L-theanine, a unique amino acid in tea, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury in mice. The mice were pre-treated orally with L-theanine (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) once daily for seven days before CCl(4) (10 ml/kg of 0.2% CCl(4) solution in olive oil) injection. L-theanine dose-dependently suppressed the increase of serum activity of ALT and AST and bilirubin level as well as liver histopathological changes induced by CCl(4) in mice. L-theanine significantly prevented CCl(4)-induced production of lipid peroxidation and decrease of hepatic GSH content and antioxidant enzymes activities. Our further studies demonstrated that L-theanine inhibited metabolic activation of CCl(4) through down-regulating cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). As a consequence, L-theanine inhibited oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory response which included the increase of TNF-α and IL-1β in sera, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in livers. CCl(4)-induced activation of apoptotic related proteins including caspase-3 and PARP in mouse livers was also prevented by L-theanine treatment. In summary, L-theanine protects mice against CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury through inhibiting metabolic activation of CCl(4) and preventing CCl(4)-induced reduction of anti-oxidant capacity in mouse livers to relieve inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis.

Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL CONTEXT: This review explores the medicinal and therapeutic applications of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in curtailing different types of acute as well as chronic maladies. The plant is being used in different parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sea buckthorn based preparations have been extensively exploited in folklore treatment of slow digestion, stomach malfunctioning, cardiovascular problems, liver injury, tendon and ligament injuries, skin diseases and ulcers. In the recent years, medicinal and pharmacological activities of Sea buckthorn have been well investigated using various in vitro and in vivo models as well as limited clinical trials.

RESULTS

Sea buckthorn has been scientifically analyzed and many of its traditional uses have been established using several biochemical and pharmacological studies. Various pharmacological activities such as cytoprotective, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-atherogenic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and tissue regeneration have been reported.

CONCLUSION

It is clear that Sea buckthorn is an important plant because of its immense medicinal and therapeutic potential. However, several knowledge gaps identified in this paper would give impetus to new academic and R&D activities especially for the development of Sea buckthorn based herbal medicine and nutraceuticals.

Protective effect of boric acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective effect of boric acid against liver damage was evaluated by its attenuation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Male albino mice were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with boric acid (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or silymarin daily for 7 days and received 0.2% CCl(4) in olive oil (10 mL/kg, i.p.) on day 7. Results showed that administration of boric acid significantly reduced the elevation in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and the level of malondialdehyde in the liver that were induced by CCl(4) in mice. Boric acid treatment significantly increased glutathione content, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver. Boric acid treatment improved the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 and maintained activation of nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cell gene expression, with no effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in the livers of mice. Histopathologically, clear decreases in the severity of CCl(4)-induced lesions were observed, particularly at high boric acid concentrations. Results suggest that boric acid exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl(4)-induced liver damage in mice, likely the result of both the increase in antioxidant-defense system activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of phenolic rich fraction of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves

Present study was aimed to investigate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of phenolic rich fraction (PRF) of Seabuckthorn leaves on CCl(4) induced oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats. Total phenolic content was found to be 319.33 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g PRF and some of its phenolic constituents, such as gallic acid, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin were found to be in the range of 1.935-196.89 mg/g of PRF as determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Oral administration of PRF at dose of 25-75 mg/kg body weight significantly protected from CCl(4) induced elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and bilirubin in serum, elevation in hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydroperoxides, protein carbonyls, depletion of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The PRF also protected against histopathological changes produced by CCl(4) such as hepatocytic necrosis, fatty changes, vacuolation, etc. The data obtained in the present study suggests that PRF has potent antioxidant activity, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against CCl(4) induced oxidative damage in the liver.

Hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects of total flavonoids from seed residues of Hippophae rhamnoides L. in mice fed a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects of total flavonoids from seed residues of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (FSH) in a high-fat diet fed mouse model. Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks caused a significant rise of serum total cholesterol in mice. These hypercholesterolaemic mice then were orally administrated with different doses of FSH (50, 100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) and simvastatin (20 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) for another 12 weeks under continuous HFD feeding.

RESULTS

FSH administration markedly reduced total mouse body, liver, and epididymal fat pad weights. Serum total cholesterol and low density of lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were also significantly decreased by FSH treatment. Additionally, FSH significantly lowered total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in liver, and the results were corroborated by transmission electron microscope findings. The rise in serum glucose was significantly suppressed by FSH treatment while improving impaired glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that FSH possesses hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic properties in mice fed a high-fat diet and could be developed as a supplement in healthcare foods and drugs.

Protective effects of silica hydride against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective effects of MegaHydrate silica hydride against liver damage were evaluated by its attenuation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Male ICR mice were orally treated with silica hydride (104, 208 and 520 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg) daily, with administration of CCl(4) (1 mL/kg, 20% CCl4 in olive oil) twice a week for eight weeks. The results showed that oral administration of silica hydride significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver that were induced by CCl(4) in mice. Moreover, the silica-hydride treatment was also found to significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increase the GSH content, in the liver. Liver histopathology also showed that silica hydride reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl(4). The results suggest that silica hydride exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl(4)-induced liver damage in mice, likely due to both the increase of antioxidant-defense system activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.