title: In vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective properties of polyphenols from Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux.
abstract: Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective properties of the aqueous extract and tetrahydrofuran-extracted phenolic fractions of Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux were investigated in rats with chemically induced liver injury. Total polyphenols were determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. Liver damage was induced by CCl(4) and assessed by a histological technique. Reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) analysis showed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) gene expression and activities in the group treated with free phenolic acid (FPA) fractions of H. opuntia, suggesting inducing effects on both enzymes. In addition, rats treated with FPA fractions displayed lower liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels than those observed for rats in the CCl(4)-treated group. These data suggest that the phenolic fractions from H. opuntia may protect the liver against oxidative stress-inducing effects of chemicals by modulating its antioxidant enzymes and oxidative status.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. anamara_nut@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Mara
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira e Silva
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vidal-Novoa
authors.forename: Ana Elsa
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Batista-González
authors.forename: José Ricardo
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Dalva Assunção
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Portari Mancini
authors.forename: Wilman
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reina-Urquijo
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mancini-Filho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy; D002374:Catalase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D059808:Polyphenols; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase