title: Protective effects of Ocimum gratissimum polyphenol extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
abstract: Ocimum gratissimum found in tropical regions is a traditional herb commonly which prevents free radical damage and protects liver from oxidative stress and fibrosis. Ocimum gratissimum polyphenol extract (OGPE) was purified by resin tube to 33.24% polyphenol and 8.2% flavonoid, which were three-fold higher compared with the pre-purification concentrations. The abstract was used to determine if the antioxidant components in the O. gratissimum extract (OGE) were responsible for protective effects on liver fibrosis. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the content levels of catechin, caffeic acid and epicatechin in OGPE also increased three-fold. Male Wistar rats were administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and varying amounts of OGPE doses [0-12 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or OGE dose (40 mg/kg BW) for 8 weeks. Results showed that OGPE at 12 mg/kg BW, similar to OGE at 40 mg/kg BW, maintained the liver weight, significantly ameliorated CCl₄-induced steatosis, and mitigated other pathological changes. OGPE (12 mg/kg BW) also maintained the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the levels of malondialdehyde, catalase and α-smooth muscle actin in liver tissues from CCl₄-induced changes. These findings suggest that antioxidant components in OGPE were the major factors that prevented liver fibrosis. Moreover, higher polyphenol concentrations were necessary for higher effectiveness.
authors: Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Yieng-How
authors: YH
authors: Chen
authors: Emergency department, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung 43549, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Yung-Wei
authors: YW
authors: Chiu
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Jyh-Cherng
authors: JC
authors: Shyu
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Chin-Chiu
authors: CC
authors: Tsai
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung 43303, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Hsueh-Hui
authors: HH
authors: Lee
authors: Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Medical, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Chuan-Chen
authors: CC
authors: Hung
authors: School of Applied Chemistry, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Jin-Ming
authors: JM
authors: Hwang
authors: Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Jer-Yuh
authors: JY
authors: Liu
authors: Department of food and nutrition, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Wen-Hong
authors: WH
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D031339:Ocimum / Q000737:chemistry; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D010936:Plant Extracts; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat