Operculina turpethum attenuates N-nitrosodimethylamine induced toxic liver injury and clastogenicity in rats.
The root extract of Operculina turpethum (OTE) has been used as an anti-inflammatory, purgative, and hepato-protective agent. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a potent hepatotoxin that induces fibrosis of the liver. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic effects of OTE root extract against NDMA-induced hepatotoxicity and clastogenicity in rats. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in adult male albino rats through serial intraperitoneal administrations of NDMA at a concentration of 10mg/kg body weight on three consecutive days of each week over a period of three weeks. A group of rats received OTE orally in doses of 75, 150 and 200mg/kg body weight at 5h after the administration of NDMA. The controls and treated animals were sacrificed on days-7, 14 and 21 after the start of the administration of NDMA. The progression of hepatic fibrosis as well as the amelioration effect of OTE was evaluated through histopathologically as well as by immunohistochemical staining for the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Alterations in serum and liver biochemical parameters and LDH isoenzymes were also studied. Serial administration of NDMA resulted in well formed fibrosis in the liver and induction of micronuclei in the bone marrow cells. Staining of alpha-SMA demonstrated activated stellate cells from day-7 onwards which was dramatically increased on day-21. An elevation of micronuclei count, liver function enzymes, serum hydroxyproline levels and LDH isoenzymes 4 and 5 were also observed. All these changes were remarkably reduced in OTE administered animals and fibrogenesis was completely absent. Our results suggest that OTE has hepatoprotective and anti-clastogenic effects against NDMA-induced hepatic fibrosis. Therefore OTE may be used as a hepatoprotective agent against various liver diseases including toxic liver injury.
Ahmad
Riaz
R
Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, India. riazzool@rediffmail.com
Ahmed
Sarfaraz
S
Khan
Nizam Uddin
NU
Hasnain
Absar-ul
AU
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D027722:Convolvulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000199:Actins; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine