Teucrium polium in prevention of steatohepatitis in rats

Effects of Tobacco on Salivary Antioxidative and Immunologic Systems

Background: Tobacco use is a harmful habit that causes adverse effects on oral health and plays a most important role in cancer development. Saliva is the first fluid that is exposed to tobacco and its antioxidant system plays an important role in anti-cancer potential; therefore, this study was designed to compare the antioxidant activity and immunologic system of saliva in tobacco users (smokers and smokeless tobacco users) and non-users. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, unstimulated saliva samples of 75 healthy individuals from three equal groups were investigated. Participants in group A had no periodontal disease and never smoked. Group B had no periodontal disease, never used smokeless tobacco, but had 3 years history of smoking at least 10 cigarettes daily. The twenty-five participants in group C had no periodontal disease and had 1 year history of chewing a 10-g tobacco packet daily. Activity of salivary superoxide dismutase (SOD), salivary glutathione peroxide, and salivary IgA concentration was evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18) and running Kruskal-Wallis test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There were significant differences in the activities of the two enzymes and salivary IgA levels among the three groups. Activity of glutathione peroxide was higher in smokeless tobacco users. (P<0.001) while that of superoxide dismutase was higher in non-tobacco users than users (P<0.001). Salivary IgA levels were higher among smokeless tobacco users (p=0.04). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the use of tobacco products decreases the antioxidative activity of the saliva and increases salivary IgA levels at the same time.

Protective Activity of Total Polyphenols from Genista quadriflora Munby and Teucrium polium geyrii Maire in Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Oxidative stress is a major cause of drug-induced hepatic diseases and several studies have demonstrated that diet supplementation with plants rich in antioxidant compounds provides a variety of health benefits in these circumstances. Genista quadriflora Munby (Gq) and Teucrium polium geyrii Maire (Tp) are known to possess antioxidant and numerous biological properties and these endemic plants are often used for dietary or medicinal applications. Herein, we evaluated the beneficial effect of rich-polyphenol fractions of Gq and Tp to prevent Acetaminophen-induced liver injury and investigated the mechanisms involved in this protective action. Rats were orally administered polyphenolic extracts from Gq or Tp (300 mg/kg) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC: 200 mg/kg) once daily for ten days prior to the single oral administration of Acetaminophen (APAP: 1 g/kg). The results show that preventive administration of polyphenolic extracts from Gq or Tp exerts a hepatoprotective influence during APAP treatment by improving transaminases leakage and liver histology and stimulating antioxidant defenses. Besides, suppression of liver CYP2E1, GSTpi and TNF-α mRNA levels, with enhancement of mitochondrial bioenergetics may contribute to the observed hepatoprotection induced by Gq and Tp extracts. The effect of Tp extract is significantly higher (1.5–2 fold) than that of Gq extract and NAC regarding the enhancement of mitochondrial functionality. Overall, this study brings the first evidence that pretreatment with these natural extracts display in vivo protective activity against APAP hepatotoxicity through improving mitochondrial bioenergetics, oxidant status, phase I and II enzymes expression and inflammatory processes probably by virtue of their high total polyphenols content.

INFLUENCE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND OBESITY IN PATIENTS WITH NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS

BackgroundNonalcoholic steatohepatitis is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and it is particularly associated to the insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity and abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism.ObjectiveConsidering the importance of obesity and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, this study aimed to evaluate the presence and association of the obesity and oxidative stress in this pathology.MethodsFifteen outpatients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis group), diagnosed according to the histopathological findings from the liver biopsy, and 15 body mass index-matched subjects (non nonalcoholic steatohepatitis group) without nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were included. All volunteers were registered in a Brazilian University Hospital. Nutritional assessment (weight, height, body mass index and waist circumference) and biochemical analysis (fasting glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile, leptin, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins C and E, catalase and 8-isoprostane) were performed for all the participants. The student t test was used for statistical analysis, with P<0.05 as the significant factor.ResultsNonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients had higher fasting glucose, hepatic enzymes (serum aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase), triglycerides and superoxide dismutase and lower glutathione peroxidase values than non nonalcoholic steatohepatitis individuals.ConclusionThis paper demonstrates that only the presence of obesity is not enough to trigger alterations in all the studied biomarkers. Despite the majority of oxidative stress markers being found to be similar in both conditions, the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis subjects could be slightly more affected than the non nonalcoholic steatohepatitis individuals.

Prevention of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats by two manganese-salen complexes

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by steatosis with inflammation. Investigations have suggested that oxidative stress may play an important role in the progress of NAFLD to NASH. To provide further insights into beneficial effects of antioxidants in NASH prevention, we employed two manganese-superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics, manganese N,N`-bis(salicyldene) ethylene diamine chloride (EUK-8) and manganese-3-methoxy N,N`-bis(salicyldene)ethylenediamine chloride (EUK-134), as two salen representatives and vitamin C as the standard antioxidant.

METHODS

Experimental NASH was induced in Male N-Mary rats by feeding a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet to rats for 10 weeks. The rats (n = 5, 30 mg/kg/day) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin C, EUK-8, EUK-134 or vehicle orally.

RESULTS

Administration of salens together with the MCD diet reduced the serum aminotransferases, glutathione transferase and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and LDL contents. In addition, the EUK-8 and EUK-134 improved NASH pathological features in liver of MCD-fed rats.

CONCLUSION

EUK-8 and EUK-134 supplementation reduces NASH-induced abnormalities, pointing out that antioxidant strategy could be beneficial for prevention of NASH.

Remarkable Anticancer Activity of Teucrium polium on Hepatocellular Carcinogenic Rats

The term cancer has been concomitant with despair, agony, and dreadful death. Like many other diseases, herbal therapy has been used to prevent or suppress cancer. The present study investigated the capability of the decoction of Teucrium polium L. from Lamiaceae family to protect liver cells against hepatocellular carcinoma in carcinogenesis-induced animal model. After 28 weeks of treatment with decoction of Teucrium polium L., serum biochemical markers including ALT, AST, AFP, GGT, ALP, HCY, TNF-α, α2MG, and CBG have been regulated auspiciously. Total antioxidant status also has been increased intensely. Liver lesion score in treated group was lessened and glucocorticoid activity has been intensified significantly. In conclusion, Teucrium polium L. decoction might inhibit or suppress liver cancer development.

Herbal medicines for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: current scenario and future prospects

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a multifactorial disease and has close correlations with other metabolic disorders. This makes its treatment difficult using a single pharmacological drug. Use of plant extract/decoction or polyherbal formulation to treat various liver diseases is very well mentioned in various traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Japanese or traditional Chinese Medicine, and Kampo medicine). Medicinal herbs are known for their multifaceted implications and thus can form an effective treatment schedule against NASH. Till date, several plant extracts, polyherbal formulations, and phytochemicals have been evaluated for their possible therapeutic potential in preventing onset and progression of NASH in experimental models, but clinical studies using the same are sparse. Herbal extracts with antioxidants, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic properties have been shown to ameliorate symptoms of NASH. This review article is a meticulous compilation of our current knowledge on the role of natural products in alleviating NASH and possible lacunae in research that needs to be addressed.

Amelioration of diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats by Mn-salen complexes via reduction of oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by steatosis (accumulation of triacylglycerols within hepatocytes) along with inflammation and ballooning degeneration. It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play an important role in the progress of NAFLD to NASH. The aim of present study was to determine whether antioxidant supplementations using EUK-8, EUK-134 and vitamin C could improve the biochemical and histological abnormalities associated with diet-induced NASH in rats.

METHODS

NASH was induced in male N-Mary rats by feeding a methionine - choline deficient (MCD) diet. The rats were fed either normal chow or MCD diet for 10 weeks. After NASH development, the MCD-fed rats were randomly divided into four groups of six: the NASH group that received MCD diet, the EUK-8 group which was fed MCD diet plus EUK-8, the EUK-134 group which was fed MCD diet plus EUK-134 and the vitamin C group which received MCD diet plus vitamin C. EUK-8, EUK-134 and vitamin C (30 mg/kg body weight/day) were administered by gavage for eight weeks.

RESULTS

Treatment of MCD-fed rats with salens reduced the sera aminotransferases, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein contents, the extent of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation whereas the HDL-C cholesterol levels were significantly increased. In addition, EUK-8 and EUK-134 improved steatosis, ballooning degeneration and inflammation in liver of MCD-fed rats.

CONCLUSION

Antioxidant (EUK-8, EUK-134 and vitamin C) supplementation reduces NASH-induced biochemical and histological abnormalities, pointing out that antioxidant strategy could be beneficial in treatment of NASH.

Teucrium polium reversed the MCD diet-induced liver injury in rats

In the present study, we evaluated the ability of Teucrium polium ethyl acetate fraction, with high antioxidant activity, in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats and its possible effect on factors involved in pathogenesis of the disease. To induce NASH, a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet was given to N-Mary rats for 8 weeks. After NASH development, MCD-fed rats were divided into 2 groups: NASH group that received MCD diet and NASH + T group which was fed MCD diet plus ethyl acetate fraction of T. polium orally for 3 weeks. Histopathological evaluations revealed that treatment with the extract has abated the severity of NASH among the MCD-fed rats. In addition, the fraction reduced the elevated levels of hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) gene expression and also the elevated level of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, the extract increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and enhanced the level of hepatic glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the fraction treatments lowered caspase-3 level and the phosphorylated form of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and augmented the phosphorylated level of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2). These results indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction of T. poium effectively reversed NASH, mainly due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Recent advances in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on recent advances in the study of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, natural history and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Study of hepatic lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, genetic variants and predisposition to altered metabolism and cell injury have contributed to our current understanding of NAFLD. Differential expression of microRNA in fatty liver and its implication in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic potential have continued to advance over the year. The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in steatohepatitis continues to be explored. The diagnostic utility of imaging and noninvasive markers seems promising in estimating the severity of steatosis and fibrosis. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for accurately assessing NAFLD and steatohepatitis. Lifestyle modification and weight loss improve both metabolic profile and liver histology. Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of NAFLD remains lacking.

SUMMARY

The underlying mechanism and pathogenesis of NAFLD remain elusive despite ongoing researches to make significant advances in the understanding of its natural history, pathogenesis and management. Pharmacotherapy has yet to indicate a promising therapeutic intervention. Current treatment focuses on managing underlying cardio-metabolic risks.