Berberis vulgaris L. effects on oxidative stress and liver injury in lead-intoxicated mice
-
Jawhar Laamech
,
Hamadi Fetoui
Abstract
Background
Berberis vulgaris L. (BV), commonly known as “Aghriss” in Moroccan pharmacopoeia, is used to cure liver disorders and other diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of BV aqueous extract against lead-induced toxicity in mice liver.
Methods
Sixty IOPS mice were divided into six groups and were treated as follows: group 1 (normal control) received double distilled water; group 2 (toxic control) received lead acetate (5 mg/kg body weight/day) in double distilled water for 40 days; groups 3–6 received BV aqueous extract at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight , respectively, once daily for 30 days from 11 day after beginning of lead acetate exposure to the end of the experiment.
Results
Toxic control group showed a significant alteration of serum alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), total bilirubin (TB), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histological assessment of lead-intoxicated mice liver revealed alterations in hepatocytes and focal necrosis. BV treatment significantly prevented lead accumulation, increased ALT, AST, TC, and TB, inhibited lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls(PCO) formation. Additionally, BV extract normalized the antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GPx), GSH and architecture of liver tissues.
Conclusions
BV aqueous extract exerts significant hepatoprotective effects against lead-induced oxidative stress and liver dysfunction. The BV effect may be mediated through the enhancement of antioxidant status, lead-chelating abilities and free radicals quenching.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Pr. Afaf Laamarti and Dr. Karima Idrissi from the Pathologic Anatomy Laboratory, Fez University Hospital Complex; for their assistance in the histological assessment.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: Jawhar Laamech was supported in his PhD thesis project by grants of excellence from Moroccan Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Review
- Herbal approach in the treatment of pancytopenia
- Medical Education
- Attitudes, skill and use of evidence-based practice among US Western herbal medicine providers: a national survey
- Naturopaths in Ontario, Canada: geographic patterns in intermediately-sized metropolitan areas and integration implications
- Preclinical Studies
- Effects of luteolin and luteolin-morphine co-administration on acute and chronic pain and sciatic nerve ligated-induced neuropathy in mice
- In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory potential of leaf extracts and fractions of Eria javanica
- Modulatory effects of melatonin and vitamin C on oxidative stress-mediated haemolytic anaemia and associated cardiovascular dysfunctions in rats
- Phenolic compounds from Citrus leaves: antioxidant activity and enzymatic browning inhibition
- Berberis vulgaris L. effects on oxidative stress and liver injury in lead-intoxicated mice
- Organo-protective and antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of Syzygium guineense var macrocarpum against ferric nitriloacetate-induced stress of Wistar rats
- Clinical Studies
- Acupuncture decreases competitive anxiety prior to a competition in young athletes: a randomized controlled trial pilot study
- Case Report
- Herbal and dietary supplements related to diarrhea and acute kidney injury: a case report
