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Acetonic and Methanolic Extracts of Heterotheca inuloides, and Quercetin, Decrease CCl(4)-Oxidative Stress in Several
Elvia Coballase-Urrutia1, José Pedraza-Chaverri, Noemí Cárdenas-Rodríguez
1Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700-C, 04530 México, DF, Mexico.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|February 1, 2013
Summary
This study shows that extracts from H. inuloides and quercetin protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced oxidative stress. These natural compounds demonstrated antioxidant properties, safeguarding vital tissues from CCl4 toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a known hepatotoxin that induces significant oxidative stress in vital organs.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various tissue injuries and diseases.
- Natural compounds are increasingly investigated for their protective effects against chemical-induced toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the chemopreventive potential of acetonic and methanolic extracts of *H. inuloides* against CCl4-induced oxidative stress.
- To investigate the protective mechanisms of *H. inuloides* extracts and quercetin, a known antioxidant, in preventing CCl4 toxicity.
- To confirm the protective effects through biochemical and histological analyses.
Main Methods:
- Administration of *H. inuloides* extracts or quercetin as pretreatment in rats exposed to CCl4.
- Biochemical analysis of serum markers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (BB), creatinine (CRE), creatine kinase (CK), albumin (ALB), and γ-globulin (γ-GLOB).
- Histological examination of tissues using hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid/Schiff's reagent staining.
- Measurement of lipid peroxidation levels and specific oxidative stress markers like 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine.
- Assessment of antioxidant enzyme activities.
Main Results:
- Pretreatment with *H. inuloides* extracts or quercetin significantly attenuated the CCl4-induced elevation of serum enzymes (ALP, CK) and bilirubin, and prevented the decrease in albumin and γ-globulin.
- Histological analysis supported the biochemical findings, showing reduced tissue damage in pretreated groups.
- Lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal, and 3-nitrotyrosine levels were significantly lower in animals treated with the extracts or quercetin compared to CCl4-only exposed groups.
- The plant extracts and quercetin protected against the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities caused by CCl4.
Conclusions:
- The acetonic and methanolic extracts of *H. inuloides*, along with quercetin, exhibit significant protective effects against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury.
- The chemopreventive action is attributed to the potent antioxidant properties of the *H. inuloides* extracts.
- These findings validate the traditional use of *H. inuloides* and highlight its potential as a source of natural antioxidants for mitigating chemical toxicity.