title: Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Simarouba amara Aublet (Simaroubaceae) stem bark against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats.
abstract: Simarouba amara stem bark decoction has been traditionally used in Brazil to treat malaria, inflammation, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wounds and as a tonic. In this study, we investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of S. amara stem bark (SAAE) on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. SAAE was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. The animals were divided into six groups (n = 6/group). Groups I (vehicle-corn oil), II (control-CCl4), III, IV, V and VI were pretreated during 10 consecutive days, once a day p.o, with Legalon® 50 mg/kg b.w, SAAE at doses 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, respectively. The hepatotoxicity was induced on 11th day with 2 mL/kg of 20% CCl4 solution. 24 h after injury, the blood samples were collected and their livers were removed to biochemical and immunohistochemical analyzes. The SAAE decreased the levels of liver markers and lipid peroxidation in all doses and increased the catalase levels at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg. Immunohistochemical results suggested hepatocyte proliferation in all doses. These results may be related to catechins present in SAAE. Thus, SAAE prevented the oxidative damage at the same time that increased regenerative and reparative capacities of the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-521, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hélida M L
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Maranhão
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-521, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos F B
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-521, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rolim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-521, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro J Rolim
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacinto da C Silva
authors.initials: Jda C
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, Brazil.
authors.forename: Reginaldo C da Silva
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, Brazil.
authors.forename: João H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Costa-Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alice V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-521, Brazil. almir.wanderley@ufpe.br.
authors.forename: Almir G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Wanderley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D032272:Simarouba / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride