Satendra Kumar Nirala

Multiple treatment of propolis extract ameliorates carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

Propolis, a resinous wax-like beehive product has been used as a traditional remedy for various diseases due to a variety of biological activities of this folk medicine. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to validate hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of propolis (50-400mg/kg, p.o.) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4,) 0.5 ml/kg, p.o.) induced acute liver injury in rats. Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug was used as a positive control. Administration of CCl(4) altered various diagnostically important biochemical variables. Multiple treatment of propolis significantly prevented the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, urea and uric acid in serum; improved the activity of hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, i.e., aniline hydroxylase and amidopyrine-N-demethylase; significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and markedly enhanced glutathione in liver and kidney as well as brought altered carbohydrate contents (blood sugar and tissue glycogen), protein contents (serum, microsomal and tissue protein) and lipid contents (serum and tissue triglycerides, serum cholesterol, total and esterified cholesterol in tissue) towards control. Propolis treatment also reversed CCl(4) induced severe alterations in histoarchitecture of liver and kidney in a dose dependent manner. Hepatoprotective activity of propolis at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg was statistically compared to silymarin and found that propolis exhibited better effectiveness than silymarin in certain parameters, concluded its hepatoprotective potential.

Propolis reverses acetaminophen induced acute hepatorenal alterations: A biochemical and histopathological approach

The present study has been conducted to evaluate the curative effect of propolis extract, a honey bee-hive product, against acetaminophen (APAP) induced oxidative stress and dysfunction in liver and kidney. Animals were challenged with APAP (2 g/kg, p.o.) followed by treatment of propolis extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) once only after 24 h. Release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum bilirubin were increased, whereas hemoglobin and blood sugar were decreased after APAP administration. Antioxidant status in both the liver and kidney tissues were estimated by determining the glutathione, malondialdehyde content and activities of the CYP enzymes, which showed significant alterations after APAP intoxication. In addition, activities of adenosine triphosphatase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and major cell contents (total protein, glycogen and cholesterol) were also altered due to APAP poisoning. Propolis extract successfully reversed the alterations of these biochemical variables at higher dose. Improvements in hepatorenal histoarchitecture were also consistent with biochemical observations. The results indicated that ethanolic extract of propolis has ability to reverse APAP-induced hepatorenal biochemical and histopathological alterations probably by increasing the antioxidative defense activities due to various phenolic compounds present in it.

Duration-dependent hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that was discovered through the study of traditional cures and knowledge of indigenous people throughout the world. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, and in amino acids, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. The investigators studied the duration-dependent hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract (200 mg/kg, orally) against carbon tetrachloride (CCI4; 1.5 ml/kg, intraperitoneally)-induced liver damage in rats. Administration of CCI4 caused a sharp elevation in the activity of serum transaminases and serum alkaline phosphatase. A significant depletion in hepatically reduced glutathione was observed with significantly enhanced hepatic lipid peroxidation. After CCI4 administration, glycogen contents and activities of alkaline phosphatase, adenosine tri phosphatase, and succinic dehydrogenase were significantly decreased, whereas total protein contents and activity of acid phosphatase were increased in the liver and kidney. Propolis extract reversed alterations in all parameters when administered within 6, 12, and 24 h of toxicant exposure. Propolis therapy produced duration-dependent protection, with maximal protection achieved at 24 h after CCI4 exposure. It is believed that propolis in its natural form has general pharmacologic value and marked hepatoprotective potential because of its composition of minerals, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.

Reversal of acetaminophen induced subchronic hepatorenal injury by propolis extract in rats.

The ethanolic extract of propolis (200mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated against acetaminophen (APAP; 20mg/kg, p.o.) induced subchronic hepatorenal injury in rats. Administration of APAP significantly increased the release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin and serum proteins, whereas concomitantly decreased hemoglobin, blood sugar and albumin. Hepatorenal reduced glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, hepatic CYPs i.e., aniline hydroxylase and amidopyrine-N-demethylase were significantly decreased after APAP intoxication. Lipid peroxidation showed significant elevation in both organs significantly after APAP assault. Total proteins, glycogen contents and the activities of certain metabolic enzymes i.e., adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase were altered after APAP administration. Propolis extract exhibited curative effects by reversing APAP induced alterations in blood biochemical variables, CYP enzymes and markers of oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis of liver and kidney was consistent with the biochemical findings and led us to conclude the curative potential of propolis against APAP induced hepatorenal injury.

Baicalin prevents cadmium induced hepatic cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and histomorphometric alterations

Therapeutic potential of baicalin was evaluated against Cd-induced hepatic cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Exposure to Cd (cadmium chloride) in Chang liver cell culture produced cytotoxicity in terms of increase in cell growth inhibition rate, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and cellular lipid peroxidation, which was significantly mitigated by baicalin in a concentration dependent manner. Acute exposure to Cd (6.5 mg/kg body weight; ip once only) produced a condition of oxidative stress in rats and substantially increased LPO and GSSG level along with corresponding decrease in GSH and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the leakage of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with baicalin after 3 h of Cd administration inhibited LPO and formation of GSSG along with increase in liver GSH level. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly restored towards control after baicalin treatment. Administration of baicalin helped in restoring the activities of antioxidants enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase towards control. Histomorphometric analysis also supported biochemical findings of the study. The observations clearly demonstrated that baicalin treatment ameliorated Cd induced hepatic cytotoxicity and oxidative stress and provides evidence for its therapeutic potential against Cd induced oxidative stress.

Pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis to alleviate beryllium-induced hepatorenal toxicity

Intervention of chelating agent tiferron (sodium‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,3‐benzene disulfonate; 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) with propolis (honey beehive product; 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated to encounter the characteristic biochemical and ultra‐morphological alterations following subchronic exposure to beryllium. Female albino rats were challenged with beryllium nitrate (1 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days followed by treatment of the above‐mentioned therapeutic agents either individually or in combination for five consecutive days. Exposure to beryllium increased its concentration in the serum, liver and kidney, and caused significant alterations in cytochrome P450 activity, microsomal lipid peroxidation and proteins. Activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, creatinine and urea in the serum and activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose‐6‐phophatase and succinic dehydrogenase in the liver and kidney were significantly altered after beryllium administration. Beryllium exposure also induced severe hepatorenal alterations at histopathological and ultra‐morphological level. Tiferron along with propolis dramatically reversed the alterations in all the variables more towards control rather than their individual treatment. The study concludes that pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis is beneficial in attenuating beryllium‐induced systemic toxicity.

Emodin reverses CCl4 induced hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymatic and ultrastructural changes: The in vivo evidence

Aim:  The curative effect of emodin (1,3,8‐trihydroxy‐6‐methyl anthraquinone), an active compound of the plant species Ventilago maderaspatana Gaertn, was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymatic and ultrastructural alterations in rats.

Role of micronutrients against dimethylmercury intoxication in male rats.

Mercury is one of the most toxic non-radioactive heavy metals. Chelation therapy has been the basis for the medical treatment of mercury poisoning. Male albino rats were administered dimethylmercury (1.5mg/kg) orally for 21 days. Chelation therapy with N-acetyl cysteine along with combination of antioxidants viz. zinc and selenium was given for 5 days after 24h of toxicant administration. All animals were sacrificed after 48h of last treatment and various blood biochemical parameters were performed. Toxicant caused rise in bilirubin, γ-GT, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, the uric acid content with a decline in albumin. A significant elevation was observed in LPO content and mercury concentration, along with concomitant decline in GSH levels after toxicant administration in liver, kidney and brain. Noticeable fall was also observed in AChE enzyme. Histopathological analysis was consistent with the biochemical observations and led to conclude that combination therapy provided protection against mercury toxicity.

Hepatic endogenous defense potential of propolis after mercury intoxication

Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl(2) ; 5 mg kg(-1) body weight; i.p.) induced oxidative stress in mice and substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the activities of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with propolis extract, a resinous wax-like beehive product (200 mg kg(-1) orally, after mercury administration), for 3 days inhibited LPO and the formation of GSSG and increased the level of GSH in the liver. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored after propolis treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were also concomitantly restored towards normal levels after propolis administration. These observations clearly demonstrate that propolis treatment augments antioxidant defense against mercury-induced toxicity and provide evidence that propolis has therapeutic potential as a hepatoprotective agent.

Synergistic effects of ferritin and propolis in modulation of beryllium induced toxicogenic alterations.

Synergistic therapeutic potential of ferritin (5mg/kg, i.p.) and propolis (honeybee hive product; 200mg/kg, p.o.) was analyzed to encounter the beryllium induced biochemical and ultra morphological alterations. Female albino rats were exposed to beryllium nitrate (1mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days followed by treatment of above mentioned therapeutic agents either individually or in combination for five consecutive days. Exposure to beryllium increased its concentration in serum, liver and kidney and significantly altered the activities of CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 enzymes, microsomal lipid peroxidation and microsomal proteins. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, protein, creatinine and urea in serum as well as hemoglobin and blood glucose level; activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, total protein contents, glycogen contents, lipid peroxidation and glutathione level in liver and kidney were significantly altered after beryllium administration. Beryllium exposure severely altered ultramorphology of liver and kidney that proved its toxic consequences at cellular level. Ferritin in combination with propolis dramatically reversed the alterations of these variables towards control in a synergistic manner concluding its beneficial effects over monotherapy in attenuating beryllium induced systemic toxicity.