title: Effects of Echinacea purpurea on Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nitrites are mainly used in food preservation. These materials could change to nitrosamine due to the effect of heat and gastric acid. Nitrosamine is absorbed in intestine and enters the liver and hepatocytes by portal venous system, and hampers the detoxification system of liver by interfering in cytochrome P450 enzymes, so, the liver gently proceeds to cirrhosis and cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to investigate the hepatic and renal protective effects of aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea extract (EPE) on injury induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups were as follow: Control group (normal saline), DEN (200 mg/kg, IP, a single dose), EPE (100 mg/kg, orally, daily) and DEN + EPE which received as group DEN and EPE. After 30 days, Blood samples, and liver and kidney tissues were taken for further examination. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), BUN, Creatinine and total and direct bilirubin were estimated in serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DEN induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in all the treated animals by elevated serum ALT, AST, ALP and BUN, creatinin and total and direct bilirubin levels. AST, BUN and total and direct bilirubin significantly decreased in DEN + EPE compared to DEN group. After 30 days of DEN administration, histopathological investigation revealed proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and early fibrosis which were partly improved by EPE administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study findings indicated that Echinacea purpurea extract played an important role in the protection against DEN toxicity in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Annahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezaie
authors.affiliation: Department of food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazlara
authors.affiliation: Department of food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haghi Karamolah
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahriari
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Najaf Zadeh
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran ; Research Committee, Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pashmforosh
keywords: Diethylnitrosamine; Echinacea; Kidney; Liver; Rats; Toxicity