title: Red Seaweed (Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis) Extracts Counteracting Azoxymethane-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
abstract: Background: Azoxymethane (AOM) is a well-known colon cancer-inducing agent in experimental animals via
  mechanisms that include oxidative stress in rat colon and liver tissue. Few studies have investigated AOM-induced
  oxidative stress in rat liver tissue. Red seaweeds of the genera Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis
  are rich in polyphenolic compounds that may suppress cancer through antioxidant properties, yet limited research
  has been carried out to investigate their anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant influence against AOM-induced oxidative
  stress in rat liver. Objective: This study aims to determine protective effects of red seaweed (Hypnea Bryodies and
  Melanothamnus Somalensis) extracts against AOM-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Materials and
  Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of AOM, 15 mg/kg body weight, once a week for
  two consecutive weeks and then orally administered red seaweed (100 mg/kg body-weight) extracts for sixteen weeks.
  At the end of the experiment all animals were overnight fasted then sacrificed and blood and liver tissues were collected.
  Results: AOM treatment significantly decreased serum liver markers and induced hepatic oxidative stress as evidenced
  by increased liver tissue homogenate levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, decreased total antioxidant capacity
  and glutathione, and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase,
  glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase). Both red seaweed extracts abolished the AOM-associated oxidative
  stress and protected against liver injury as evidenced by increased serum levels of liver function markers. In addition,
  histological findings confirmed protective effects of the two red seaweed extracts against AOM-induced liver injury.
  Conclusion: Our findings indicate that red seaweed (Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis) extracts
  counteracted oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model of colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat,
  Oman. Email: waly.mostafa@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mostafa Ibrahim
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Waly
authors.forename: Ahmed Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al Alawi
authors.forename: Insaaf Mohammad
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Al Marhoobi
authors.forename: Mohammad Shafiur
authors.initials: MSh
authors.lastname: Rahman
keywords: Azoxymetahne; hepatotoxicity; red seaweeds