Mistletoe alkali inhibits peroxidation in rat liver and kidney.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties of mistletoe alkali (MA).


METHODS
The antioxidant effect of mistletoe alkali on the oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats was investigated. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): CCl4-treated group (1 mL/kg body weight), MA -treated group (90 mg/kg), CCl4+MA-treated group and normal control group. After 4 wk of treatment, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product (LPO) was measured in serum and homogenates of liver and kidney. Also, the level of glutathione (GSH), and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver and kidney were determined. Scavenging effects on hydroxyl free radicals produced in vitro by Fenton reaction were studied by ESR methods using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap reagent and H2O2/UV as the OH. source. Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was determined by competitive ELISA.


RESULTS
In CCl4-treated group, the level of LPO in serum of liver and kidney was significantly increased compared to controls. The levels of GSH and enzyme activities of SOD, GSPx and GR in liver and kidney were significantly decreased in comparison with controls. In CCl4+MA-treated group, the changes in the levels of LPO in serum of liver and kidney were not statistically significant compared to controls. The levels of SOD, GSPx and GR in liver and kidney were significantly increased in comparison with controls. There was a significant difference in urinary excretion of 8-OHdG between the CCl4-treated and MA-treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxidative stress may be a major mechanism for the toxicity of CCl4. MA has a protective effect against CCl4 toxicity by inhibiting the oxidative damage and stimulating GST activities. Thus, clinical application of MA should be considered in cases with carbon tetrachloride-induced injury.
Shi
Zheng-Ming
ZM
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, China.
Feng
Ping
P
Jiang
Dong-Qiao
DQ
Wang
Xue-Jiang
XJ
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D028181:Viscum
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts