Effects of Myrtus communis extract treatment in bile duct ligated rats.
The aim of our study was to investigate the antifibrotic and antioxidant effects of Myrtus communis subsp. communis (MC) extract against liver injury and fibrosis occurring in rats with biliary obstruction.



The rats were randomized into four groups (n = 8). Control group (C), MC-administrated group (MC), the bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL + MC groups. MC was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg a day orally for 28 days. In blood samples, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase levels, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β measurement were measured. Oxidative injury was examined by measuring luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescence, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase activities. Transforming growth factor-beta and hydroxyproline levels were measured for analyzing fibrosis. The hepatic injury was also analyzed microscopically.



Plasma total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels were found significantly high in the BDL group, while these values significantly decreased in the BDL group treated with MC. On the other hand, the glutathione and superoxide dismutase values significantly decreased in the BDL group compared to the control group but increased markedly in BDL + MC group compared to the BDL group. Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, tissue luminol, lucigenin, transforming growth factor-beta, and hydroxyproline levels when compared with the control group increased dramatically in the BDL group and reduced the MC + BDL group.



Our results suggest that MC protects the liver tissues against oxidative damage following BDL via its radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, which appear to involve the inhibition of tissue neutrophil infiltration.
Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Ali
A
Sen
Department of Internal Medicine, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
Sevil
S
Ozkan
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Kafiye
K
Recebova
Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
Ozge
O
Cevik
Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Feriha
F
Ercan
Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Elif
E
Kervancıoglu Demirci
Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Leyla
L
Bitis
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: gsener@marmara.edu.tr.
Goksel
G
Sener
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000601:surgery; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000150:complications*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008026:Ligation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D031651:Myrtus; D020556:Neutrophil Infiltration / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents
Bile ductal ligation; Hepatic fibrosis; Myrtus communis subsp. communis; Oxidative injury