title: Influence of Piper betle on hepatic marker enzymes and tissue antioxidant status in ethanol-treated Wistar rats.
abstract: Piper betle L. is a commonly used masticatory in Asia. This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of P. betle, using ethanol intoxication as a model of hepatotoxic and oxidative damage. Ethanol-treated rats exhibited elevation of hepatic marker enzymes and disturbances in antioxidant defense when compared with normal rats. Oral administration of P. betle extract (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days significantly (P <.05) decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydroperoxides in ethanol treated rats. The extract also improved the tissue antioxidant status by increasing the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E) and the activities of free radical-detoxifying enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in liver and kidney of ethanol-treated rats. The highest dose of P. betle extract (300 mg/kg body weight) was most effective. The results were comparable with the known hepatoprotective drug, silymarin. These results indicate that P. betle could afford a significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608002, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saravanan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prakasam
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Pugalendi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D031721:Piper betle / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D000431:Ethanol; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase