title: Hepatoprotective Effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha Fruits against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Damage.
abstract: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious health problem in developed countries. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), the current therapy for APAP-induced ALF, is not always effective, and liver transplantation is often needed. Opuntia spp. fruits are an important source of nutrients and contain high levels of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha extracts against APAP-induced ALF. In addition, we analyzed the antioxidant activities of these extracts. Fruit extracts (800mg/kg/day, orally) were given prophylactically to male Wistar rats before intoxication with APAP (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Rat hepatocyte cultures were exposed to 20mmol/LAPAP, and necrosis was assessed by LDH leakage. Opuntia robusta had signiﬁcantly higher levels of antioxidants than Opuntia streptacantha. Both extracts signiﬁcantly attenuated APAP-induced injury markers AST, ALT and ALP and improved liver histology. The Opuntia extracts reversed APAP-induced depletion of liver GSH and glycogen stores. In cultured hepatocytes, Opuntia extracts signiﬁcantly reduced leakage of LDH and cell necrosis, both prophylactically and therapeutically. Both extracts appeared to be superior to NAC when used therapeutically. We conclude that Opuntia extracts are hepatoprotective and can be used as a nutraceutical to prevent ALF.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Science Center, Universidad Autónomade Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico. herson_qfbd@hotmail.com.|Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. herson_qfbd@hotmail.com.
authors: Herson Antonio
authors: HA
authors: González-Ponce
authors: Department of Morphology, Basic Science Center, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico. mcmtzsal@correo.uaa.mx.
authors: María Consolación
authors: MC
authors: Martínez-Saldaña
authors: Department of Physiology, University Center of Health Sciences, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico. anarosarincon@yahoo.com.mx.
authors: Ana Rosa
authors: AR
authors: Rincón-Sánchez
authors: Food Technology Unit, Secretary of Research and Graduate Studies, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic 63160, Mexico. teresumaya@hotmail.com.
authors: María Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Sumaya-Martínez
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands.|Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands.
authors: Manon
authors: M
authors: Buist-Homan
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. k.n.faber@umcg.nl.|Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. k.n.faber@umcg.nl.
authors: Klaas Nico
authors: KN
authors: Faber
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. a.j.moshage@umcg.nl.|Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. a.j.moshage@umcg.nl.
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Moshage
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Science Center, Universidad Autónomade Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20131, Mexico. jara@att.net.mx.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Jaramillo-Juárez
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D029747:Opuntia / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000082:Acetaminophen
keywords: Opuntia fruits; acetaminophen; acute liver failure; antioxidants; hepatoprotective; nutraceutical