Protective Effects of Ethyl Acetate Soluble Fraction of Limonium tetragonum on Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Biol Pharm Bull. 2016;39(6):1022-8. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b15-01047.

Abstract

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a potent toxic material that can cause necrosis and subsequent fibrosis in the liver. Based on the previously reported hepatoprotective effect of Limonium tetragonum against the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, we tested the EtOAc soluble fraction of L. tetragonum extract (EALT) in a DEN-induced hepatotoxic rat model. The development of hepatotoxicity including mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal injections of DEN (70 mg/2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) per week) was observed at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the first DEN treatment. Administration of EALT (200 mg/kg body weight, per os (p.o.)) induced significant reductions in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglycerides (TG) in DEN-injected rats. Increased oxidative stress in DEN-induced liver fibrosis rats was diminished by EALT treatment through a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histologic findings that included markedly attenuated mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis could be observed in liver samples from the EALT-treated groups. An extract of Hovenia dulcis fruit and Sylimarin were used as positive controls. The present study provides direct experimental evidence for EALT attenuated hepatic injury and fibrosis in DEN-treated mice. The L. tetragonum EtOAc fraction might be useful in treating fibrotic liver diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / chemistry
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Diethylnitrosamine
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / chemically induced
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Plumbaginaceae*
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Solvents
  • Triglycerides
  • Diethylnitrosamine
  • Malondialdehyde
  • ethyl acetate
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase