The Effects of Syzygium samarangense, Passiflora edulis and Solanum muricatum on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury

Chemical Compositions, Pharmacological Properties and Medicinal Effects of Genus Passiflora L.: A Review

Practically all aboveground plants parts of Passiflora vines can be included in the compositions of dietary supplements, medicines, and cosmetics. It has a diverse chemical composition and a wide range of biologically active components that determine its diverse pharmacological properties. Studies related to the chemical composition of the plant are summarized here, and attention has been paid to various medical applications-(1) anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective; (2) anti-depressant; (3) antidiabetic; (4) hepatoprotective; (5) antibacterial and antifungal; and (6) antipyretic and other. This review includes studies on the safety, synergistic effects, and toxicity that may occur with the use of various dietary supplements based on it. Attention has been drawn to its application in cosmetics and to patented products containing passionflower.

Sub-acute toxicity evaluation of aqueous leaf extract from Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis (Gulupa) in Wistar rats

The genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) comprises about 500 species. The Passiflora edulis stands out because of its economic and medicinal importance. It is widely planted in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially in South America, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Asia. The aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis (Gulupa) leaves is used in traditional medicine for its soothing and tranquilizing effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, evaluating its safety for human use is a fundamental requirement to continue the development of new therapies within the framework of regulatory, preclinical, and clinical guidelines. Here, the sub-acute toxicity study was conducted following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 407 for 28 days in Wistar albino rats. The study showed that 1000 mg/kg/day of the aqueous extract in 10 adult Wistar rats (five males and five females) was well tolerated. The hematological results are at normal levels. However, monocytopenia and eosinopenia were observed with a significant difference (P < 0,05) for both male and female rats treated with the aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis. The results show that liver and kidney function profiles were conserved. However, an increase in ALT is observed with significant differences between male and female rats treated with the extract compared to the controls. Study findings were limited to non-adverse histopathological results of a slightly increased incidence of focal periportal lymphocytic infiltrate in the liver and focal corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis in the kidney compared to control. Therefore, the aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis has a good safety profile in oral administration, was well tolerated, and did not cause any lethality or adverse effects in the sub-acute toxicity study in male and female rats. The NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for the 28-day subacute toxicity study was considered to be 1000 mg/kg.

Phytocompounds from Amazonian Plant Species against Acute Kidney Injury: Potential Nephroprotective Effects

There are several Amazonian plant species with potential pharmacological validation for the treatment of acute kidney injury, a condition in which the kidneys are unable to adequately filter the blood, resulting in the accumulation of toxins and waste in the body. Scientific production on plant compounds capable of preventing or attenuating acute kidney injury-caused by several factors, including ischemia, toxins, and inflammation-has shown promising results in animal models of acute kidney injury and some preliminary studies in humans. Despite the popular use of Amazonian plant species for kidney disorders, further pharmacological studies are needed to identify active compounds and subsequently conduct more complex preclinical trials. This article is a brief review of phytocompounds with potential nephroprotective effects against acute kidney injury (AKI). The classes of Amazonian plant compounds with significant biological activity most evident in the consulted literature were alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. An expressive phytochemical and pharmacological relevance of the studied species was identified, although with insufficiently explored potential, mainly in the face of AKI, a clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality.

Breast cancer cell growth arrest and chemopreventive effects of Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae) ethanolic leaves extract on a rat model of mammary carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Despite various prevention and treatment measures, the incidence and mortality due to breast cancer has been increasing globally. Passiflora edulis Sims is a plant used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine, including cancers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the anti-breast cancer activity of the ethanolic extract of P. edulis leaves in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In vitro, the cell growth and proliferation were determined based on the MTT and BrdU assays. The flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell death mechanism while, cell migration, cell adhesion and chemotaxis were assayed for anti-metastatic potential. In vivo, 56 female Wistar rats aged 45-50 days (∼75 g) were exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-DMBA except the normal group. Negative control group (DMBA) received solvent dilution throughout the study; standards groups (tamoxifen - 3.3 mg/kg BW and letrozole - 1 mg/kg BW) as well as P. edulis leaves ethanolic extract groups (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) treated for 20 weeks. Tumor incidence, tumor burden and volume, CA 15-3 serum' level, antioxidant, inflammatory status and histopathology were assessed.

RESULTS

P. edulis extract showed a significant and concentration-dependent inhibition of MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cells growth at 100 μg/mL. It inhibited cell proliferation and clones' formation and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB 231 cells. The migration of cell into the zone freed of cells and the number of invading cells after the 48 and 72 h were significantly diminished while, it increased their adherence to collagen and fibronectin extracellular matrix as does Doxorubicin. In vivo, all rats in the DMBA group exhibited a significant (p < 0.001) increase in tumor volume, tumor burden and grade (adenocarcinoma of SBR III) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-6 and IL-12). P. edulis extract at all tested doses significantly inhibited the DMBA-induced increase in tumor incidence, tumor burden and grade (SBR I) as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, it increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, catalase, and GSH) and decreased MDA levels although a greater effect was observed with Tamoxifen and Letrozole. P. edulis has medium content on polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins.

CONCLUSION

P. edulis has chemo-preventive effects against DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats probably through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and apoptosis-inducing potentials.

Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, health benefits and future prospects of Passiflora: A review

Passiflora, also known as "passion fruit", is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions. It is not only eaten raw but is also widely used in processed foods. Various extracts, juices and isolated compounds show a wide range of health effects and biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and neuroprotective effects. In this review, we not only review the phytochemical properties of Passiflora but also highlight the potential of Passiflora for food applications and the use of all parts as a source of ingredients for medicines and cosmetics that promote health and well-being. This will provide theoretical support for the integrated use of such natural products.

Prevention of the Pro-Aggressive Effects of Ethanol-Intoxicated Mice by Schisandrin B

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health complications, with liver and neurological complications being the most important. In Western nations, alcoholic liver disease accounts for 50% of mortality from end-stage liver disease and is the second most common cause of liver transplants. In addition to direct damage, hepatic encephalopathy may also arise from alcohol consumption. However, effective treatment for liver disease, as well as neurological injury, is still lacking today; therefore, finding an efficacious alternative is urgently needed. In the current study, the preventive and therapeutic effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) against ethanol-induced liver and brain injuries were investigated. By using two treatment models, our findings indicated that Sch B can effectively prevent and ameliorate alcoholic liver diseases, such as resolving liver injuries, lipid deposition, inflammasome activation, and fibrosis. Moreover, Sch B reverses brain damage and improves the neurological function of ethanol-treated mice. Therefore, Sch B may serve as a potential treatment option for liver diseases, as well as subsequential brain injuries. Furthermore, Sch B may be useful in preventive drug therapy against alcohol-related diseases.

Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) fruit extract ameliorates endothelial dysfunction and liver damage in high cholesterol diet-fed rats

Background and aim

Wax apple fruit (Syzygium samarangense) is one of the most popular tropical fruit in Asia, and contains several essential nutrients. Therefore, this study explored the effects of the wax apple fruit extract on a high-cholesterol diet-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and fatty liver in rats.

Experimental procedure

Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a diet with 1.5% cholesterol (HCD) for 8 weeks, and were given wax apple fruit extract (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) orally for the last 4 weeks. After 8 weeks, blood sample, thoracic aorta, and liver were collected and processed for biochemical and histological analysis. Additionally, vascular endothelial function and the protein expression of oxidative stress markers in aortae were evaluated.

Results and conclusion

Wax apple reduced serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), but increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Furthermore, the liver levels of TG and TC were reduced in wax apple-treated hypercholesterolemic rats. Histological studies revealed that wax apple ameliorated HCD-induced morphologic changes of aortic and liver tissues of rats. In aortic tissues, the impaired endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine, the reduced nitric oxide (NO) contents, the elevated endothelin (ET)-1 contents, and the increased expression of NADPH oxidase subunit p47^phox and 4-hydroxynonenal in HCD-fed rats were reversed by wax apple treatment. These results suggest that oral administration of wax apple improves vascular dysfunction and damage in hypercholesterolemic rats possibly through increasing NO bioavailability, decreasing ET-1 levels and reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, wax apple ameliorates the HCD-induced fatty liver in rats.

Constituent Characteristics and Functional Properties of Passion Fruit Seed Extract

The genus Passiflora L. is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The major species, Passiflora edulis Sims, is known as 'passion fruit' and is widely used in processed foods as well as eaten raw. P. edulis fruits are eaten for their pulp together with the seeds; however, the seeds are often discarded when used in processed foods. P. edulis seeds contain a variety of nutrients and functional components, and their industrial use is desirable from the perspective of waste reduction. Previous studies have analyzed the constituents of P. edulis and their physiological functions. P. edulis seeds contain various types of polyphenols, especially those rich in stilbenes (e.g., piceatannol). P. edulis seed extracts and isolated compounds from seeds have been reported to exhibit various physiological functions, such as antioxidant effects, improvement of skin condition, fat-burning promotion effects, and hypoglycemic effects. This review summarizes the nutritional characteristics, polyphenol content, and physiological functions of P. edulis seeds.

Protective effects of tea extracts against alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice via modulating cytochrome P450 2E1 expression and ameliorating oxidative damage

The alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) has been a severe public health problem. Oxidative stress is involved in the initiation and progression of AFLD. Tea is a popular beverage worldwide with strong antioxidant activity. In this research, our purpose is to explore and compare the effects of 12 selected teas on AFLD. The ethanol liquid diet was used to feed the mice, and 12 tea extracts were administrated at 200 mg/kg body weight every day for 4 weeks. The results showed that the application of several tea extracts exhibited different inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation induced by sub-acute alcohol consumption based on the determination of triglyceride concentration and the histological alteration in the liver. In addition, several teas significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, inhibited the cytochrome P450 2E1 expression, and promoted alcohol metabolism (p < .05). Besides, compared with the model group, several teas obviously elevated superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as glutathione content, and remarkably decreased malondialdehyde level (p < .05). In general, Fried Green Tea, Fenghuang Narcissus Oolong Tea, and Pu-erh Dark Tea possessed potential preventive effects on AFLD. Moreover, the main phytochemicals in the three tea extracts were determined and quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography, and the most commonly detected ingredients were catechins and caffeine, which could exert the protective effects on AFLD.

3-B-RUT, a derivative of RUT, protected against alcohol-induced liver injury by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for alcohol-induced liver injury (ALI). Inflammatory response and oxidative stress play a crucial role in ALI. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) can be induced by inflammation and it has been reported that the enhanced expression of COX-2 in alcoholic liver injury. Rutaecarpine (RUT) was extracted from evodia rutaecarpa. RUT has a wide range of pharmacological activities. In order to increase its anti-inflammatory activity, our group introduced sulfonyl group to synthesized the 3-[2-(trifluoromethoxy)benzenesulfonamide]-rutaecarpine (3-B-RUT). In this study, we explored the protective effect of 3-B-RUT on alcoholic liver injury in vivo and in vitro and preliminarily explore its mechanism. Mice ALI model was established according to the chronic-plus-binge ethanol model. Results showed that 3-B-RUT (20 μg/kg) attenuated alcohol-induced liver injury and suppressed liver inflammation and oxidative stress, and the effect was comparable to RUT (20 mg/kg). In vitro results are consistent with in vivo results. Mechanistically, the 3-B-RUT might suppress inflammatory response and oxidative stress by regulating activation of NF-κB/COX-2 pathway. In summary, 3-B-RUT, a derivative of RUT, may be a promising clinical candidate for ALI treatment.

Antibiofilm potential of Psidium guajava and Passiflora edulis pulp extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, cytotoxicity, and interference on the activity of antimicrobial drugs

Background

Pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus can cause several diseases including septicemia and endocarditis, in spite of being a commensal species of the human microbiota. The current drug resistance of S. aureus raises the need for new antimicrobials, and natural products represent a feasible source for prospection of such compounds, due to features including the diversity of structures and mechanisms of action. Here, we provide evidence of the antimicrobial activity of methanolic of Psidium guajava and Passiflora edulis pulps against planktonic cells and biofilms of clinical isolates of S. aureus.

Results

The extracts were effective against the strains in concentrations up to 7.81 and 250 μg/mL for planktonic cells and biofilms, respectively. Antagonistic interactions of the extracts to antimicrobial drugs were observed. The pulps caused no cytotoxic effects on BGM cells. GC-MS analysis found relevant molecules, and UPLC analysis suggested the presence of flavonoids. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first antibiofilm evidence of such extracts.

Conclusion

The extracts seem to be safe and effective enough for more studies aiming at exploring isolated antimicrobial molecules using in vivo models for the treatment of staphylococcal diseases.

Antioxidant Activities of Jeju Wax Apple (Syzygium samarangense) and Safety of Human Keratinocytes and Primary Skin Irritation Test

This study analyzed the antioxidant activity, cell viability, and human skin primary irritation test using the hot-water extracts of the Syzygium samarangense. As a result of the recent warmer climate, tropical plants have flourished on Jeju Island, and S. samarangense is one of these plants known to have biological activities. In this study, the hot-water extract of S. samarangense leaf and branch was analyzed. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assays, and the DMPD (dimethyl-4-phenylenediamine) radical scavenging activity, nitrite scavenging activity, ferrous-ion chelating activity, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenol content, and total flavonoid content were also measured. In addition, cell viability was measured by MTT assay in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), and the safety of the extract for use on the skin was evaluated in the human skin primary irritation test. The antioxidant activities, except DMPD radical scavenging activity and ferrous-ion chelating activity, were stronger in the branch extract than in leaf extract, and the total phenol and flavonoid contents were also higher in the branch extract. Slight irritation was observed in the human skin primary irritation test. However, it was possible to observe sufficient antioxidant capacity at a concentration lower than the concentration used in the irritation test; therefore, if the concentration of the extract is appropriately adjusted, this suggests that it is a possible natural material suitable for use in cosmetics.

Passiflora edulis: An Insight Into Current Researches on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Passiflora edulis, also known as passion fruit, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and becomes popular because of balanced nutrition and health benefits. Currently, more than 110 phytochemical constituents have been found and identified from the different plant parts of P. edulis in which flavonoids and triterpenoids held the biggest share. Various extracts, fruit juice and isolated compounds showed a wide range of health effects and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumor, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic activities, and so forth. Daily consumption of passion fruit at common doses is non-toxic and safe. P. edulis has great potential development and the vast future application for this economically important crop worldwide, and it is in great demand as a fresh product or a formula for food, health care products or medicines. This mini-review aims to provide systematically reorganized information on physiochemical features, nutritional benefits, biological activities, toxicity, and potential applications of leaves, stems, fruits, and peels of P. edulis.

The In Vivo Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Actions of Selected Chinese Teas

Tea is a popular beverage and shows very strong in vitro antioxidant activity. However, the relationship among in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities in teas is seldom reported. In this study, in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of 32 selected Chinese teas were evaluated on a mouse model with acute alcohol-induced liver injury. The results showed that most teas significantly reduced the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, triacylglycerol, and total bilirubin in the sera of mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg. In addition, most teas greatly decreased the malondialdehyde level and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione in the liver of mice, indicating the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of teas. Furthermore, the in vivo antioxidant activity of dark tea was stronger than that of green tea, opposite to the results of the in vitro study. Among these 32 teas, Black Fu Brick Tea, Pu-erh Tea, and Qing Brick Tea showed the strongest antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Moreover, total phenolic content as well as the contents of epicatechin, gallocatechin gallate, and chlorogenic acid were found to contribute, at least partially, to the antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of these teas. Overall, teas are good dietary components with antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions.

Vitamin D Deficiency Aggravates Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation during Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in alcoholics. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of vitamin D deficiency on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. Mice were fed with modified Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets for 6 weeks to establish an animal model of chronic alcohol-induced liver injury. In the VDD+EtOH group, mice were fed with modified diets, in which vitamin D was depleted. Vitamin D deficiency aggravated alcohol-induced liver injury. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency aggravated hepatocyte apoptosis during alcohol-induced liver injury. Although it has a little effect on hepatic TG content, vitamin D deficiency promoted alcohol-induced hepatic GSH depletion and lipid peroxidation. Further analysis showed that vitamin D deficiency further increased alcohol-induced upregulation of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos), two NADPH oxidase subunits p47phox and gp91phox, and heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1. By contrast, vitamin D deficiency attenuated alcohol-induced upregulation of hepatic antioxidant enzyme genes, such as superoxide dismutase (sod) 1 and gshpx. In addition, vitamin D deficiency significantly elevated alcohol-induced upregulation of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Taken together, these results suggest that vitamin D deficiency aggravates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation during chronic alcohol-induced liver injury.

Tartary buckwheat extract alleviates alcohol-induced acute and chronic liver injuries through the inhibition of oxidative stress and mitochondrial cell death pathway

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is an enormous public health problem that poses significant social, medical, and economic burdens. Under AUD, the liver is one of the most adversely affected organs. As current therapies and protective drugs for AUD-mediated liver injury are very limited, the prevention and therapy of alcoholic liver disease are urgently needed. The present study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of tartary buckwheat extract (TBE), the important component of Maopu tartary buckwheat liquor, on both alcoholic-induced acute and chronic liver injuries. We show that the TBE administration, similar to curcumin, significantly reduces the elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, improves liver index, alleviates the elevated contents of hepatic malondialdehye, and restores the decreased contents of hepatic glutathione both in acute and chronic liver injuries in alcohol-exposed rats. Furthermore, histopathological analyses show that a medium dose of TBE (16.70 ml/kg body weight) alleviates hepatocyte morphology changes in both acute and chronic alcohol exposure models. We also show the protective effects of TBE on the cell death rates of alcohol-exposed primary cultured hepatocytes, HepG2 hepatoma, and Huh 7 hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TBE exerts hepatoprotection partly through inhibiting the mitochondrial cell death pathway by reducing cytochrome c release, caspase-9 and -3 activities, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells. These effects of TBE were accompanied by enhanced levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and autophagic cell death pathway by reducing Beclin-1 expression, as well as through promoting its anti-oxidant capacity by suppressing reactive oxygen species production. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the protective effect of TBE against alcohol-induced acute and chronic liver injury in vivo and in vitro. Given the dietary nature of tartary buckwheat, pueraria, lycium barbarum, and hawthorn, the oral intake of TBE or liquor contained TBE, e.g., Maopu Tartary buckwheat liquor, compared with pure liquor consumption alone, may have the potential to alleviate alcoholic-induced liver injuries.

Health Functions and Related Molecular Mechanisms of Tea Components: An Update Review

Tea is widely consumed all over the world. Generally, tea is divided into six categories: White, green, yellow, oolong, black, and dark teas, based on the fermentation degree. Tea contains abundant phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, pigments, polysaccharides, alkaloids, free amino acids, and saponins. However, the bioavailability of tea phytochemicals is relatively low. Thus, some novel technologies like nanotechnology have been developed to improve the bioavailability of tea bioactive components and consequently enhance the bioactivity. So far, many studies have demonstrated that tea shows various health functions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and hepato-protective effects. Moreover, it is also considered that drinking tea is safe to humans, since reports about the severe adverse effects of tea consumption are rare. In order to provide a better understanding of tea and its health potential, this review summarizes and discusses recent literature on the bioactive components, bioavailability, health functions, and safety issues of tea, with special attention paid to the related molecular mechanisms of tea health functions.

Gut Microbiota's Relationship with Liver Disease and Role in Hepatoprotection by Dietary Natural Products and Probiotics

A variety of dietary natural products have shown hepatoprotective effects. Increasing evidence has also demonstrated that gut microorganisms play an important role in the hepatoprotection contributed by natural products. Gut dysbiosis could increase permeability of the gut barrier, resulting in translocated bacteria and leaked gut-derived products, which can reach the liver through the portal vein and might lead to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby threatening liver health. Targeting gut microbiota modulation represents a promising strategy for hepatoprotection. Many natural products could protect the liver from various injuries or mitigate hepatic disorders by reverting gut dysbiosis, improving intestinal permeability, altering the primary bile acid, and inhibiting hepatic fatty acid accumulation. The mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects also include reducing oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation, attenuating fibrosis, and decreasing apoptosis. This review discusses the hepatoprotective effects of dietary natural products via modulating the gut microbiota, mainly focusing on the mechanisms of action.

Five-Golden-Flowers Tea: Green Extraction and Hepatoprotective Effect against Oxidative Damage

The consumption of herbal teas has become popular in recent years due to their attractive flavors and outstanding antioxidant properties. The Five-Golden-Flowers tea is a herbal tea consisting of five famous edible flowers. The effects of microwave-assisted extraction parameters on the antioxidant activity of Five-Golden-Flowers tea were studied by single-factor experiments, and further investigated using response surface methodology. Under the optimal parameters (53.04 mL/g of solvent/material ratio, 65.52 °C, 30.89 min, and 500 W), the ferric-reducing antioxidant power, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content of the herbal tea were 862.90 ± 2.44 µmol Fe2+/g dry weight (DW), 474.37 ± 1.92 µmol Trolox/g DW, and 65.50 ± 1.26 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g DW, respectively. The in vivo antioxidant activity of the herbal tea was evaluated on alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice. The herbal tea significantly decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and malonaldehyde at different doses (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg); improved the levels of liver index, serum triacylglycerol, and catalase at dose of 800 mg/kg. These results indicated its role in alleviating hepatic oxidative injury. Besides, rutin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, gallic acid, and p-coumaric acid were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which could contribute to the antioxidant activity of the herbal tea.

Liver toxicity mechanisms of herbs commonly used in Latin America

Mexico owns approximately 4500 medicinal plants species, a great diversity that position it at the second place after China. According to the Mexican health department, 90% of common population consumes them to treat various diseases. Additionally, herbal remedies in Latin America (LA) are considered a common practice, but the frequency of use and the liver damage related to its consumption is still unknown. Despite the high prevalence and indiscriminate herbal consumption, the exact mechanism of hepatotoxicity and adverse effects is not fully clarified and is still questioned. Some herb products associated with herb induced liver injury (HILI) are characterized by presenting a different chemical composition that may vary from batch to batch, also the biological activity of many medicinal plants and other natural products are directly related to their most active component and its concentration. There are two main biological components that are associated with liver damage, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which are frequent constituents of commonly used herbs. The interaction with the different cytochrome P-450 isoforms, inflammatory, and oxidative activities seem to be the main damage pathway involved in the liver. It is important to know the herbal adverse effects and mechanisms involved; therefore, this article is focused on the beneficial and deleterious effects as well as the possible toxicity mechanisms and interactions of the herbs that are frequently used in LA, since the herb-host interaction may not always be the expected or desired depending on the clinical context in which it is administered.

Protective Effects of Lemon Juice on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption (more than 40–80 g/day for males and more than 20–40 g/day for females) could induce serious liver injury. In this study, effects of lemon juice on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice were evaluated. The serum biochemical profiles and hepatic lipid peroxidation levels, triacylglycerol (TG) contents, antioxidant enzyme activities, and histopathological changes were examined for evaluating the hepatoprotective effects of lemon juice in mice. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant capacities of lemon juice were determined. The results showed that lemon juice significantly inhibited alcohol-induced increase of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), hepatic TG, and lipid peroxidation levels in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological changes induced by alcohol were also remarkably improved by lemon juice treatment. These findings suggest that lemon juice has protective effects on alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. The protective effects might be related to the antioxidant capacity of lemon juice because lemon juice showed in vitro antioxidant capacity.

Effects of Melatonin on Liver Injuries and Diseases

Liver injuries and diseases are serious health problems worldwide. Various factors, such as chemical pollutants, drugs, and alcohol, could induce liver injuries. Liver diseases involve a wide range of liver pathologies, including hepatic steatosis, fatty liver, hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocarcinoma. Despite all the studies performed up to now, therapy choices for liver injuries and diseases are very few. Therefore, the search for a new treatment that could safely and effectively block or reverse liver injuries and diseases remains a priority. Melatonin is a well-known natural antioxidant, and has many bioactivities. There are numerous studies investigating the effects of melatonin on liver injuries and diseases, and melatonin could regulate various molecular pathways, such as inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and autophagy in different pathophysiological situations. Melatonin could be used for preventing and treating liver injuries and diseases. Herein, we conduct a review summarizing the potential roles of melatonin in liver injuries and diseases, paying special attention to the mechanisms of action.