title: Metabolic profile and hepatoprotective activity of the anthocyanin-rich extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) is a common traditional tea that has many biological activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and study the metabolic profile of the anthocyanin-rich extract of H. sabdariffa calyces (HSARE).
  
  
  METHODS
  The hepatoprotective activity of HSARE was assessed (100 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks) by examining the hepatic, inflammatory, oxidative stress markers and performing a histopathological examination in rats with thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity. HSARE was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-photodiode array-mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-PDA-MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The UPLC-qTOF-PDA-MS analysis of HSARE enabled the identification of 25 compounds represented by delphinidin and its derivatives, cyanidin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin aglycones and glycosides, together with hibiscus lactone, hibiscus acid and caffeoylquinic acids. Compared to the TAA-intoxicated group, HSARE significantly reduced the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and hepatic malondialdehyde by 37.96, 42.74 and 45.31%, respectively. It also decreased hepatic inflammatory markers, including tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interferon gamma (INF-γ), by 85.39, 14.96 and 70.87%, respectively. Moreover, it decreased the immunopositivity of nuclear factor kappa-B and CYP2E1 in liver tissue, with an increase in the effector apoptotic marker (caspase-3 positive cells), restoration of the altered hepatic architecture and increases in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione by 150.08 and 89.23%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSARE revealed pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential where SOD and INF-γ were significantly improved. HSARE possesses the added value of being more water-soluble and of natural origin with fewer side effects expected compared to silymarin.
authors: a Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , Cairo University , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Shahira M
authors: SM
authors: Ezzat
authors: a Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy , Cairo University , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Maha M
authors: MM
authors: Salama
authors: b Pharmacology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Sayed H
authors: SH
authors: Seif El-Din
authors: c Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries , Future University in Egypt , Egypt.
authors: Samira
authors: S
authors: Saleh
authors: b Pharmacology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Naglaa M
authors: NM
authors: El-Lakkany
authors: d Pathology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Olfat A
authors: OA
authors: Hammam
authors: b Pharmacology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Maha B
authors: MB
authors: Salem
authors: b Pharmacology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt.
authors: Sanaa S
authors: SS
authors: Botros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031584:Hibiscus; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055442:Metabolome / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents
keywords: CYP2E1; Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-PDA-mass spectrometry; caspase-3; delphinidin; hibiscus-lactone; nuclear factor kappa-B