title: Rubus sanctus protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in rat isolated hepatocytes: isolation and characterization of its galloylated flavonoids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rubus sanctus Schreb., known from the Bible as 'holy thorn bush', grows wild in Egypt. Rubus sanctus aqueous alcoholic extract (RE) contains a complicated phenolic mixture (ellagitanins, flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives). In this study, the phytochemical investigation of the plant was re-evaluated. Herein, we report on the isolation and identification of three galloylated flavonoids, namely kaempferol-3-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-(4)C(1)-beta-d-galactopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-(4)C(1)-beta-d-galactopyranoside and myricetin-3-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-(4)C(1)-beta-d-galactopyranoside for the first time from the Rubus genus. We further aimed at evaluating the potential protective effects of RE against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on an initial concentration-response experiment, a concentration of 100 mug/ml was selected to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of RE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pretreatment with RE afforded protection as indicated by counteracting CCl(4)-induced cell death, and reduced glutathione depletion. In addition, RE ameliorated CCl(4)-induced enzyme leakage by 40% for lactate dehydrogenase, 30% for alanine aminotransferase and 20% for aspartate aminotransferase as compared with CCl(4)-treated cells. Moreover, RE counteracted CCl(4)-induced lipid peroxidation and inhibited spontaneous lipid peroxidation in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, RE protects against CCl(4)-induced toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amira M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Badr
authors.forename: Ebtehal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: El-Demerdash
authors.forename: Amani E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: Asser I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ghoneim
authors.forename: Nahla A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ayoub
authors.forename: Ashraf B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Abdel-Naim
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione