Possible Hepatoprotective Potential of Cynara scolymus, Cupressus sempervirens and Eugenia jambolana Against Paracetamol-Induced liver Injury: In-vitro and In-vivo Evidence

This study aimed to evaluate in-vitro antioxidant activities of hydroethanolic extract of leaves of Cynara scolymus L., Cupressus sempervirens L., and Eugenia jambolana Lam comparing with ascorbic acid, and their correlation with in-vivo hepatoprotective activity in rat model of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, comparing with silymarin as reference agents. In-vitro study revealed that the tested extracts contain abundant amount of phenolic and flavonoids compounds attributed to their effective antioxidant potential in different models of assay that was decreased in the order of ascorbic acid ≥ E. jambolana > C. sempervirens > C. scolymus. In-vivo study, the pre-treatments with either extract (250 mg/kg/day, p.o) or silymarin (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 4 weeks have good safety profile in normal rats and exhibited a marked hepatoprotection against single toxic dose of paracetamol (4 g. kg b.w, p.o.) as proved from 1. significant preserving the normal liver function parameters, 2. maintenance the hepatic redox status as evident from significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced glutathione with inhibition of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. 3. decreasing nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor alpha 4. membrane stabilizing effects as confirmed from significant increase in the hepatic Na-K-ATPase activity and decrease in lysosomal enzyme activities which were changed in the untreated paracetamol-intoxicated rats. These protection was decreased as silymarin ≥ E. jambolana > C. sempervirens > C. scolymus. In conclusion: E. jambolana may be applied as potential sources of natural antioxidant with hepatoprotective effect and may be recommended for early prophylaxis of patients with paracetamol-induced hepatic injure. [Zeinab Y. Ali, Hanan A. Atia, Nancy H. Ibrahim. Possible Hepatoprotective Potential of Cynara scolymus, Cupressus sempervirens and Eugenia jambolana Against Paracetamol-Induced liver Injury: In-vitro and In-vivo Evidence. Nature and Science 2012;10(1):75-86]. (ISSN: 1545-0740). http://www.sciencepub.net.