title: Hepatoprotective effects of Astragalus kahiricus root extract against ethanol-induced liver apoptosis in rats.
abstract: The hepatoprotective activity of the ethanol extract of Astragalus kahiricus (Fabaceae) roots against ethanol-induced liver apoptosis was evaluated and it showed very promising hepatoprotective actions through different mechanisms. The extract counteracted the ethanol-induced liver enzymes leakage and glutathione depletion. In addition, it demonstrated anti-apoptotic effects against caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation that were confirmed by liver histopathological examination. Moreover, the phytochemical study of this extract led to the isolation of four cycloartane-type triterpenes identified as astrasieversianin II (1), astramembrannin II (2), astrasieversianin XIV (3), and cycloastragenol (4). The structures of these isolates were established by HRESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The antimicrobial, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities of the isolates were further evaluated, but none of them showed any activity.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Rasha M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Allam
authors.forename: Dina A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Selim
authors.forename: Asser I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ghoneim
authors.forename: Mohamed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Radwan
authors.forename: Salwa M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nofal
authors.forename: Amani E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: Ola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Sharaf
authors.forename: Soad M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Toaima
authors.forename: Aya M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Asaad
authors.forename: Nadia A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: El-Sebakhy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Apoptosis; Astragalus kahiricus; Cycloartane triterpenes; Fabaceae; Hepatoprotective; Rats