Modulatory potentials of the aqueous stem bark extract of Mangifera indica on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Among Yoruba herbalists (Southwest Nigeria), hot water infusion of Mangifera indica L. ( Máng Guǒ) stem bark is reputedly used for the treatment of fever, jaundice and liver disorders. The present study, therefore, investigates the protective effects and mechanism(s) of chemopreventive and curative effects of 125-500 mg/kg/day of Mangifera indica aqueous stem bark extract (MIASE) in acute CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Rats were treated intragastrically with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day of MIASE for 7 days before and after the administration of CCl4 (3 ml/kg of 20% CCl4, i.p.). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were estimated. In addition, hepatic tissue reduced glutathione (GSH) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, catalase (CAT), superoxide (SOD) activities in the hepatic homogenate, and histopathological changes in the rat liver sections were determined. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening for bioactive compounds in MIASE was also conducted. Results showed that oral treatment with 125-500 mg/kg/day of MIASE significantly attenuated the increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP, FBG, TB, CB and LDL-c levels in acute liver injury induced by CCl4 treatment. Findings also revealed significant elevations in the serum TC, TG, HDL-c, TP and ALB levels. There was marked architectural remodeling in the hepatic lesions of hepatocyte vacuolation and centrilobular necrosis induced by CCl4 treatment, coupled with significant weight loss. MIASE also markedly enhanced SOD and CAT activities while reducing MAD formation; and increased GSH concentration in the hepatic homogenate compared with untreated CCl4-intoxicated group, with more protection offered in the curative than the chemopreventive models of CCl4 hepatotoxicity. Thus, these results indicate that MIASE has a profound protective effect against acute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, which may be due to its free radicals scavenging effect, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and its ability to increase antioxidant activity.

Introduction

Mangifera indica L. (芒果 Máng Guǒ) (family: Anarcardiaceae) tree is among the most economically and culturally important tropical rainforest medicinal plant in Asia and Africa, especially for its edible fruits. It is widely known as Mango. The mango tree is an erect perennial tree with a broad rounded canopy which at full maturity may attain up to 10–30 m and 30–35 m in height and width, respectively. Previous studies indicate mango possesses antidiabetic hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antiviral, cardiotonic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antibone resorption, antihelminthic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, anti-allergic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties. In African traditional medicine, water infusion of Mangifera indica leaves is highly valued in the local management of feverish and jaundiced conditions for which its antiplasmodial antipyretic effects were reported.

The polyphenolic glucosyl xanthones, mangiferin and vimang, isolated from Mangifera indica have been documented to possess strong antiviral, antioxidant, gastroprotective, antilipoperoxidation, immunomodulatory and anticancer, cardiotonic and hypotensive, antihelminthic and anti-allergic, wound healing, antidegenerative, antidiabetic and antiatherogenic activities. Also reported is the hepatoprotective effect of Vimang isolated from Mangifera indica on primary culture of rat hepatocytes.

In African folk medicine, water infusions of Mangifera indica stem bark are highly valued in the local treatment of malaria fever, diarrhea, diabetes mellitus and liver diseases. In view of its traditional use in the local treatment of hepatic disorders, the present study was designed at evaluating the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism(s) of 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rat model.

Materials and methods

Plant collection and identification

Fresh leaves, inflorescence and stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (芒果 Máng Guǒ) plant were collected from the deciduous forest of Odo-Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, in the month of March, 2013. Botanical identification and authentication was done by Mr. T. K. Odewo, Chief Taxonomist in the Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria. Voucher specimen was deposited in the Departmental herbarium with the reference no. LUH 5528, allotted.

Preparation of the plant extract

Fresh peels of Mangifera indica stem bark were harvested and gently washed in tap water to remove dirt. These were then completely air-dried in the laboratory under room temperature (24 ± 2 °C) for 4 weeks protected from direct heat or sunlight. When dried, the stem barks were then pulverized into coarse powder using Laboratory Hammer-mill of the Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.

40 g of the powdery form was dissolved in 400 ml of distilled water and boiled at 100 °C under continuous stirring with magnetic stirrer for 2 hours. The mixture was then filtered using a piece of clean white cloth. The aqueous filtrate was transferred into an aerated oven already preset at 40 °C to obtain the dried extract of the seed; the yield was 15%.

Qualitative phytochemical analyses of MIASE

Preliminary phytochemical analyses of the Mangifera indica aqueous stem bark extract were done using standard procedure of Sofowora. The procedures are summarized below:

Test for tannins

Ferric chloride test: About 0.5 g of the dried powdered samples was boiled in 20 ml of water in a test tube and then filtered. A few drops of 0.1 % ferric chloride was added and observed for brownish green or a blue–black coloration.

Test for phlobatinnins

The plant extract solutions were boiled with 1% aqueous hydrochloric acid on a water bath for 5 minutes then color changes were observed.

Test for saponin

Froth test: 2 g of the powdered sample was boiled in 20 ml of distilled water in a water bath and then filtered. 10 ml of the filtrate was mixed with 5 ml of distilled water and shaken vigorously for a stable persistent froth. The frothing was mixed with 3 drops of olive oil and shaken vigorously, then observed for formation of emulsion.

Test for flavonoids

Three methods were used to determine the presence of flavonoids in the plant samples.

A portion of the extract solution was in each case heat with 10 ml of ethyl acetate over a steam bath for 3 minutes. The mixture was filtered and 4 ml of filtrate was shaken with 1 ml of dilute ammonia solution and color changes were observed.

Lead acetate test: To a solution of 0.5 g extract in water about 1 ml of 10% lead acetate solution was added. Production of yellow precipitate is considered as positive for flavonoids.

Few drops of 1% aluminum chloride solution was added to about 2 ml of the plant extract solutions then color changes were observed.

Test for steroidal compound

Two methods were used to determine the presence of terpenoids in the Mangifera indica stem bark aqueous extract sample.

-Lieberman's test: 0.5 g of extract was dissolved in 2 ml of acidic anhydride and cooled well in an ice. Sulfuric acid was then carefully added. A color change from violet to blue or green in some samples indicating the presence of steroidal nucleus (i.e. aglycone portion of the cardiac glycoside).

Acute oral toxicity test of MIASE using preliminary dose test of up and down procedure

The Acute oral toxicity study was conducted using the limit dose test of up and down procedure according to OECD/OCDE Test Guidelines on Acute Oral Toxicity under a computer-guided Statistical Programme-AOT425statPgm, version 1.0, at a limit dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight/oral route and default of Sigma at 0.5. A total of three female young adult Wistar rats were systematically selected out of a population of 10 Wistar rats (6–8 weeks old) by systematic randomization techniques. The population sample was selected such that the weight differences do not exceed ± 10% of the mean initial weight of the sample population. The rats were fasted of rat chow overnight prior to dosing on each occasion. A rat was picked at a time, weighed and dosed with equivalent 5000 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract dissolved in 10 ml/kg of 0.9% normal saline used as the vehicle. Feeding was done using metallic gastric feeding tube. After the extract administration, each rat was observed for the first 5 minutes after oral administration for signs of possible regurgitation and then kept in a cage for observation. The treated rat was watched for every 15 min in the first 4 hour after dosing, then every 30 minutes for the successive 6 hour and then daily for the successive 38 hour for the short-term outcome and the remaining 12 days for the long-term possible lethal outcome which in this case was “death”. Behavioral manifestations of acute oral toxicity were also observed. All observations were systematically recorded with individual records being maintained for each rat.

Experimental animals

After institutional ethical clearance for the study was obtained, a total of eighty-four young adult Male Wistar rats aged 8–10 weeks and with weight range of 110 g–150 g were purchased (in two separate batches of forty-two rats in each batch) from the Laboratory Animal Centre of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State and were kept in the Rat Colony of the Animal House of Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos State, where the laboratory work was carried out. On each occasion, the rats were allowed one week of acclimatization before being used for experimentation. The animals were housed in standard metal cages, maintained under standard laboratory conditions and fed standard rat pellets and potable water ad libitum.

Experimental design

Drug-induced hepatic and renal toxicity models used in the conduct of this study was done using 30% carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil according to the modified method of Lu et al. The study was conducted in two phases (chemopreventive and curative) with each phase consisting of 36 male Wistar rats. The rats in each model were grouped into six groups of six rats each - three control and treatment groups, respectively.

Induction of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and oral drug treatment in the chemopreventive model

In this model of chemically-induced hepatotoxicity, rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each such that the weight differences within and between groups did not exceed ± 20%. Group I rats consist of rats pretreated with 10 ml/kg of 0.9% normal saline while rats in Group II–VI were orally pretreated on daily basis with 10 ml/kg of 0.9% normal saline, 10 mg/kg of ascorbic acid, 125 mg/kg of MIASE, 250 mg/kg of MIASE, 500 mg/kg of MIASE, respectively, all dissolved in 0.9% normal saline and pretreated for 7 days. Twenty-four hours after the last oral pretreatment with ascorbic acid and graded dose of MIASE, rats were treated with single intraperitoneal injection of 3 ml/kg of 30% CCl4 dissolved in olive oil. Ascorbic acid, being a known potent antioxidant, hepatoprotectant was used as a standard reference drug. Treated rats were then sacrificed humanely forty-eight hours post-CCl4 treatment.

Induction of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and oral drug treatment in the curative model

In this model of chemically-induced hepatotoxicity, rats were also randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each such that the weight differences within and between groups did not exceed ± 20%. Group I rats consist of rats pretreated with 1 ml/kg of 0.9% normal saline given intraperitoneally while Groups II–VI rats were intraperitoneally treated on daily basis with 3 ml/kg of 30% CCl4 1 hour before oral treatment with 10 mg/kg of ascorbic acid, 125 mg/kg of MIASE, 250 mg/kg of MIASE, 500 mg/kg of MIASE, respectively, all dissolved in 0.9% normal saline. All treatment lasted 7 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the rats were sacrificed humanely under diethyl ether anesthesia. Again, ascorbic acid, being a known potent antioxidant, hepatoprotectant was used as a standard reference drug.

Collection of blood samples

Prior to the termination of the studies, rat feed was withdrawn in order to fast the rats and their beddings changed. However, drinking water was provided ad libitum. On the termination day, rats were anesthetized using inhalational diethyl ether after which blood samples for hepatic function tests were obtained directly from the heart chamber using a 21G needle mounted on a 5 ml syringe plunger and collected into plain sample bottle.

Collection of livers for hepatic tissue oxidative stress markers

After blood collection through cardiac puncture, a deep longitudinal incision was made into the ventral surface of the rat abdomen. The livers were identified and carefully dissected out en bloc from each rat. The right lobe of the liver was rinsed in ice cold 1.15% KCl solution in order to preserve the oxidative enzyme activities of the liver before being stored in a clean sample bottle which itself was in an ice-pack filled cooler. This is to prevent the breakdown of the hepatic antioxidant biomarkers.

Determination of liver and renal tissue superoxide dismutase activity

Superoxide dismutase activity was determined by its ability to inhibit the auto-oxidation of epinephrine by the increase in absorbance at 480 nm as described by Sun and Zigman. The reaction mixture (3 ml) contained 2.95 ml 0.05 M sodium carbonate buffer pH 10.2, 0.02 ml of liver homogenates, and 0.03 ml of epinephrine in 0.005 N HCl was used to initiate the reaction. The reference curette contained 2.95 ml buffer, 0.03 ml of substrate (epinephrine), and 0.02 ml of water. Enzyme activity was calculated by measuring the change in absorbance at 480 nm for 5 minutes.

Determination of liver tissue catalase activity

Hepatic tissue catalase activity was determined according to Kakkar et al. by measuring the decrease in absorbance at 240 nm due to the decomposition of H2O2 in UV recording spectrophotometer. The reaction mixture (3 ml) contained 0.1 ml of serum in phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 7.0) and 2.9 ml of 30 mM of H2O2 in the phosphate buffer pH 7.0. An extinction coefficient for H2O2 at 240 nm of 40.0 M−1 cm−1 according to Aebi was used for calculation. The specific activity of catalase was expressed as moles of H2O2 reduced per minutes per mg protein.

Determination of liver tissue reduced glutathione activity

The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver tissue was estimated according to the method described by Sedlak and Lindsay. To the homogenate 10% TCA was added and centrifuged. One milliliter of the supernatant was treated with 0.5 ml of Ellman’s reagent (19.8 mg of 5,5-dithiobisnitro benzoic acid (DTNB) in 100 ml of 0.1% sodium nitrate) and 3.0 ml of phosphate buffer (0.2 M, pH 8.0). The absorbance was read at 412 nm.

Determination of liver tissue malondialdehyde activity

Malondialdehyde (MDA) an index of lipid peroxidation was determined using the method of Buege and Aust. One milliliter of supernatant was added to 2 ml of (1:1:1 ratio) TCA-TBA-HCl reagent (thiobarbituric acid 0.37%, 0.24 N HCl and 15% TCA) tricarboxylic acid, thiobarbituric acid, reagent boiled at 100 °C for 15 minutes, and allowed to cool. Flocculent material was removed by centrifuging at 3000 rpm for ten minutes. The supernatant was removed and the absorbance was read at 532 nm against a blank. MDA was calculated using the molar extinction for MDATBA-complex of 1.56 × 105 m−1 cm−1.

Determination of serum hepatic function parameters

Serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase determination

The method of Reitman and Frankel was used. Into a test tube, 0.1 ml substrate (D, L-aspartate, 0.2 mol/L and α-ketoglutaric acid, 1.8 mmol/L in phosphate buffer, pH 7.5) solution was pipetted and placed in a 37 °C water bath to warm 0.2 ml plasma was added and shaken gently to mix. Exactly one hour after adding plasma, 1.0 ml color reagent.

[2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) approximately 20 mg/100 ml, in 10% HCl solution] was added and mixed gently and left at room temperature (18–26 °C). Twenty minutes after adding color reagent, 10 ml 0.40 N sodium hydroxide solution was added and mixed by inversion. Five minutes after, absorbance was read at 340 nm using water as reference. AST activity in Sigma-Frankel units/ml was determined from calibration curve. The same procedure was carried out for ALT except that procedures were started 30 minutes after starting AST. Substrate for ALT was L-alanine (0.2 mol/L) and α-ketoglutaric acid (1.8 mmol/L) in phosphate buffer, pH 7.5.

Serum alkaline phosphatase determination

Alkaline phosphate was determined using the colorimetric end-point method of Tietz et al. and adapted by Teco Diagnostics Kits. The principle is based on the fact that alkaline phosphatase acts upon the AMP-buffered sodium thymolphthalein monophosphate. The addition of an alkaline reagent stops enzyme activity and simultaneously develops a blue chorogem, which is measured photometrically. For each sample 0.5 ml of alkaline phosphatase substrate was dispensed into labeled test tubes and equilibrated to 37 °C for 3 minutes. At timed intervals 0.5 ml of standard, control and sample were added to their respective test-tube and mixed gently deionized water was used as blank. The samples were incubated for exactly ten minutes at 37 °C following the same sequences, 2.5 ml of alkaline phosphatase color developer at timed intervals were added. The wavelength of the spectrometer was set at 590 nm.

Determination of serum lipids, albumin, proteins and fasting blood glucose

Serum total protein was estimated by Biuret method while that of albumin was determined by bromocresol green. The total bilirubin and the conjugated bilirubin were determined by Jendrassik–Grof method. The serum total cholesterol and its fractions were determined by the Lierberman–Burchard quantitative test. Fasting blood glucose was determined by glucose oxidase method of Trinder, using One Touch Basic Blood Glucose Monitoring System (LifeScan Inc., Milpitas, California, U.S.A.).

Histopathology of the treated rat livers

The remaining part of the liver harvested is gently but briskly rinsed in 0.9% normal saline and fixed in 10% formo-saline before being completely dehydrated in absolute (100%) ethanol. The liver was then embedded in routine paraffin blocks. From the embedded paraffin blocks, 4–5 μm thick sections of each tissue was prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. These were examined under a photomicroscope (Model N-400ME, CELTECH Diagnostics, Hamburg, Germany) connected with a host computer. Sections were illuminated with white light from a 12V halogen lamp (100 W) after filtering with a 520 nm monochromatic filter. The slides were examined for associated histopathological lesions.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (Graph Pad Software – Version 5.0. Graph Pad Software Inc., La Jolla, California, U.S.A.). Data were expressed as mean ± S.D. for body weights and relative kidney weights and mean ± S.E.M. for biochemical and hematological assays. The data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA for comparison between the control and treated groups and post hoc test conducted using Newman-Keuls'-test. Level of statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001.

Results

Extraction and phytochemical screening of MIASE

Aqueous extraction of pulverized stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (芒果 Máng Guǒ) and its complete drying off yielded a chocolate-color, sweet-smelling solid residue with a yield of 15%. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of MIASE for its secondary metabolites showed that the extract contains alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phlobatinnins, reducing sugars and saponins with anthocyanosides and anthraquinones being absent.

Acute oral toxicity test of MIASE

Single oral treatment of sequentially treated young adult, nulliparous, non-pregnant female Wistar rats with 5000 mg/kg of MIASE resulted in no mortality and fatality as the short-term and delayed-term outcome of the oral toxicity test (Table 1). However, behavioral toxicities manifested by the treated rats include body scratching, feed refusal, reduced locomotor activity, and watery stooling.

Table 1

Sequence and results of the limit dose test of MIASE in young female Wistar rats.

Test sequence	Dose (mg/kg)	Short-term result (48 h)	Long-term result (12 days)
01	5000	Survival	Survival
02	5000	Survival	Survival
03	5000	Survival	Survival

Effect of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on FBG levels and %ΔFBG in the chemopreventive and chemocurative models of CCl4-treated rats

Intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 caused significant (p < 0.001) increases in the FBG levels when compared to untreated normal rats (Table 2). With oral pre-treatment with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE, there were significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) dose-dependent decreases in the FBG when compared to the untreated CCl4-treated (Group II) values (Table 2). In the chemocurative model, intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the FBG levels when compared to untreated normal rats (Table 3). However, with post-CCl4 oral treatment with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE, there non-significant decreases in the FBG value when compared to the untreated CCl4-treated (Group II) values (Table 3).

Table 2

Effects of oral pretreatments of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on the fasting blood glucose concentration (FBG) (mg/dl) and %Δ FBG of CCl4-treated rats.

Groups	FBG (mg/dl) on
	Day 1	Day 8	%Δ FBG
I	57.67 ± 3.03	55.83 ± 1.76	5.33 ± 2.87
II	59.83 ± 3.04	65.33 ± 1.45b	8.33 ± 4.61
III	56.00 ± 3.52	45.67 ± 3.29f	-29.47 ± 12.71f
IV	59.50 ± 3.35	53.00 ± 1.73f	-11.73 ± 4.43d
V	53.17 ± 3.15	45.33 ± 1.76f	-18.61 ± 7.14e
VI	54.00 ± 3.79	41.50 ± 1.80f	-33.76 ± 8.37f

b represents a significant increase at p < 0.001 when compared to Group I values while d, e and f represent significant decreases at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001 when compared to Group II values, respectively.

Table 3

Effects of oral pretreatments of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on the fasting blood glucose concentration (FBG) (mg/dl) and %Δ FBG of CCl4-chemocurative rats.

Groups	FBG (mg/dl) on
	Day 1	Day 8	%Δ FBG
I	55.50 ± 0.96	55.50 ± 0.85	0.06 ± 1.90
II	59.33 ± 1.45	42.00 ± 1.77a−	-29.13 ± 2.95b−
III	58.17 ± 0.75	48.83 ± 2.52	-15.79 ± 5.14
IV	58.50 ± 0.76	52.50 ± 4.06	-10.60 ± 5.88
V	59.83 ± 1.49	48.83 ± 3.54	-18.29 ± 6.05a−
VI	58.67 ± 1.17	41.67 ± 2.40a−	-28.89 ± 4.26b−

a− and b− represent significant decreases at p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 when compared to Group I values, respectively.

Effect of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on the liver function parameters in the CCl4-chemopreventive and chemocurative rats

Oral pre-treatment with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day of MIASE before induction of hepatotoxicity with 3 ml/kg of 30% CCl4 as measured by the effects of MIASE on liver function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, TB, CB) as depicted in Tables 4a and b. Oral pretreatments with 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated increases in the serum ALT, AST, ALP, TB and CB levels when compared to untreated CCl4-treated rats (Table 4a). Similarly, 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.0001) attenuated decreases in and improved the serum TP, ALB, TG, TC and HDL-c levels when compared to that of untreated CCl4-treated rats (Group II) values (Table 4b). Although intraperitoneal CCl4 treatment caused no significant (p > 0.05) alterations in the serum LDL-c levels in the treated rats when compared to untreated control (Group I), however, oral treatment with 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE caused dose-related significant (p < 0.001) decreases in the serum LDL-c levels when compared to untreated CCl4-treated rats (Table 4b).

Table 4a

Effect of oral pretreatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on serum ALT, AST, ALP, TB and CB in the CCl4-treated rats.

Groups	ALT (IU/L)	AST (IU/L)	ALP (IU/L)	TB (mg/dl)	CB (mg/dl)
I	29.83 ± 1.72	20.67 ± 2.82	77.41 ± 6.63	8.68 ± 0.45	2.43 ± 0.37
II	87.00 ± 2.41c	65.33 ± 3.71c	162.30 ± 10.29c	20.02 ± 0.36c	12.75 ± 0.36c
III	36.33 ± 3.73e	21.17 ± 2.20e	98.72 ± 14.03d	14.10 ± 1.78d	3.78 ± 0.34e
IV	79.17 ± 4.95	47.83 ± 2.41d	92.27 ± 1.14d	9.90 ± 0.78e	11.62 ± 0.55c+
V	36.50 ± 4.95e	18.00 ± 2.34f	61.50 ± 5.28e	9.43 ± 0.34e	2.68 ± 0.27f
VI	23.80 ± 1.28f	14.83 ± 1.17f	69.85 ± 0.51f	10.39 ± 0.37e	2.88 ± 0.28f

c represents a significant increase at p < 0.0001 when compared to Group I values while d, e and f represent significant decreases at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values.

Table 4b

Effect of oral pretreatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on serum ALT, TP, ALB, TG, TC, HDL-c and LDL-c in the CCl4-treated rats.

Groups	TP (g/dl)	ALB (g/dl)	TG (mmol/l)	TC (mmol/l)	HDL-c (mmol/l)	LDL-c (mmol/l)
I	68.47 ± 1.74	46.55 ± 0.95	1.28 ± 0.07	3.09 ± 0.20	1.43 ± 0.11	1.27 ± 0.17
II	39.33 ± 1.58c−	21.04 ± 1.06c−	0.50 ± 0.06c−	2.02 ± 0.11c−	0.50 ± 0.0c−	1.03 ± 0.05
III	67.10 ± 1.91c+	14.10 ± 1.78a+	0.97 ± 0.05	2.94 ± 0.23b+	1.21 ± 0.08c+	1.30 ± 0.05
IV	58.44 ± 3.46a+	42.75 ± 2.27c+	0.76 ± 0.15	2.65 ± 0.11a+	1.72 ± 0.10c+	0.55 ± 0.17f
V	62.85 ± 3.02a+	43.64 ± 1.79	0.93 ± 0.14	2.67 ± 0.06c+	1.80 ± 0.06c+	0.53 ± 0.09f
VI	69.85 ± 0.51c+	43.81 ± 0.55c+	1.23 ± 0.11c+	3.01 ± 0.17b+	1.59 ± 0.11c+	0.46 ± 0.18f

c− represents a significant decrease at p < 0.0001 when compared to Group I values while a+, b+ and c+ represent significant increases at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values; f represents significant a decreases at p < 0.0001 decreases when compared to Group II values.

Oral treatment with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day of MIASE 1 hour post-CCl4 treatment with 3 ml/kg of 30% CCl4 as measured by their effects on liver function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, TB, CB) significantly (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) attenuated increases in the levels of these liver function parameters (Table 5a). Similarly, 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001) attenuated decreases in and improved the serum TP, ALB, TG, TC, HDL-c, and LDL-c levels when compared to that of untreated CCl4-treated rats (Group II) values (Table 5b).

Table 5a

Effect of post-CCl4 oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on serum ALT, AST, ALP, TB and CB in the CCl4-treated rats.

Groups	ALT (IU/L)	AST (IU/L)	ALP (IU/L)	TB (mg/dl)	CB (mg/dl)
I	15.50 ± 0.76	36.00 ± 2.24	27.70 ± 1.81	1.29 ± 0.07	0.24 ± 0.00
II	54.83 ± 2.65c	97.83 ± 2.69c	69.13 ± 3.81c	1.98 ± 0.04c	1.39 ± 0.06c
III	15.00 ± 1.37f	21.17 ± 2.20e	41.73 ± 1.86f	1.18 ± 0.11f	0.30 ± 0.01f
IV	23.17 ± 1.28e	64.33 ± 1.61e	51.37 ± 4.54e	1.58 ± 0.10e	0.30 ± 0.01f
V	15.50 ± 0.76f	50.67 ± 4.49f	41.70 ± 3.17f	1.16 ± 0.12f	0.28 ± 0.02f
VI	12.67 ± 0.71f	42.67 ± 2.62f	32.72 ± 2.10f	1.21 ± 0.07f	0.29 ± 0.02f

c represents a significant increase at p < 0.0001 when compared to Group I values while e and f represent significant decreases at p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values.

Table 5b

Effect of post-CCl4 oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on serum ALT, TP, ALB, TG, TC, HDL-c and LDL-c in the CCl4-treated rats.

Groups	TP (g/dl)	ALB (g/dl)	TG (mmol/l)	TC (mmol/l)	HDL-c (mmol/l)	LDL-c (mmol/l)
I	78.54 ± 2.35	46.03 ± 0.63	0.77 ± 0.05	2.56 ± 0.07	1.67 ± 0.06	0.59 ± 0.09
II	40.42 ± 0.31c−	25.37 ± 1.03c−	0.44 ± 0.03c−	1.46 ± 0.14c−	1.16 ± 0.07c−	1.16 ± 0.07c
III	77.54 ± 1.51c+	44.80 ± 0.76a+	0.68 ± 0.04a+	1.87 ± 0.06a+	1.15 ± 0.03	0.51 ± 0.05f
IV	59.25 ± 2.85b+	35.27 ± 0.49	0.86 ± 0.05a+	1.65 ± 0.09	0.93 ± 0.12	0.35 ± 0.06f
V	78.24 ± 1.10c+	46.22 ± 0.70c+	1.12 ± 0.15c+	1.49 ± 0.12	0.95 ± 0.07	0.30 ± 0.03f
VI	81.62 ± 2.43c+	56.75 ± 0.66c+	1.69 ± 0.02c+	1.85 ± 0.02	1.61 ± 0.02a+	0.05 ± 0.01f

c− and c represent significant decreases and increases at p < 0.0001, respectively when compared to Group I values while a+, b+ and c+ represent significant increases at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values. f represents significant decreases at p < 0.001 when compared to Group II values.

Effect of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on the tissue antioxidant status in the CCl4-chemopreventive and chemocurative rats

Table 6 shows the effects of oral pre-treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE and subsequent intraperitoneal CCl4 treatment on the antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GSH and MAD) in the treated rats. CCl4 treatment caused significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) decreases in the hepatic tissue SOD, CAT and GSH while causing significant (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) increases in the hepatic and renal tissue MAD (Table 6). Oral pretreatment with 250 and 500 mg/kg of MIASE significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001) attenuated decreases in the hepatic tissue levels of SOD, CAT and GSH levels while significantly attenuated increases in the hepatic tissue MAD levels (Table 6). These effects were comparable to that recorded for the 10 mg/kg of the standard antioxidant (ascorbic acid) used. However, 125 mg/kg/day of MIASE did cause significant (p > 0.05) alterations in the hepatic tissue SOD, CAT, GSH and MAD levels when compared to that of the untreated CCl4-treated (Group II) rats (Table 6). Similarly, Table 7 shows the effects of 125–500 mg/kg of MIASE on hepatic tissue antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GSH and MAD) in the post-CCl4 treated rats. CCl4 treatment caused significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001) decreases on the hepatic and renal SOD, CAT and GSH while causing significant (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) increases in the hepatic and renal MAD values (Table 7). However, post-CCl4 oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) reversed and improved the values of these markers when compared to values for the untreated CCl4-treated rats and returning them to near normal values (Table 7).

Table 6

Effect of pre-CCl4 oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on hepatic tissue SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA in the CCl4-treated rats.

Group	SOD (U/mg protein)	CAT (U/mg protein)	GSH (U/mg protein)	MDA (U/mg protein)
I	4.04 ± 0.52	23.48 ± 2.77	2.08 ± 0.22	0.16 ± 0.03
II	2.29 ± 0.29a−	13.42 ± 0.92b−	1.25 ± 0.09	0.38 ± 0.10b
III	3.14 ± 0.36	16.53 ± 0.32	1.78 ± 0.16	0.08 ± 0.02f
IV	3.47 ± 0.30	17.66 ± 1.08	1.77 ± 0.32	0.13 ± 0.01e
V	4.83 ± 0.22c+	27.79 ± 2.01c+	3.12 ± 0.30c+	0.11 ± 0.02e
VI	5.69 ± 0.45c+	35.18 ± 1.69c+	4.51 ± 0.23c+	0.04 ± 0.01f

a− and b− represent significant decreases at p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively, when compared to Group I values while b+ and c+ represent significant increases at p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values. b represents a significant increase at p < 0.001 when compared to Group II values while e and f represent significant decreases at p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values.

Table 7

Effect of oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on hepatic tissue SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA in post-CCl4-treated rats.

Group	SOD (U/mg protein)	CAT (U/mg protein)	GSH (U/mg protein)	MDA (U/mg protein)
I	2.74 ± 0.19	24.84 ± 1.66	0.92 ± 0.07	0.10 ± 0.00
II	1.59 ± 0.17c−	11.29 ± 0.63c−	0.48 ± 0.03a−	0.15 ± 0.03b
III	3.68 ± 0.26c+	27.50 ± 1.87c+	1.72 ± 0.06c+	0.02 ± 0.01f
IV	3.68 ± 0.26c+	18.24 ± 1.21b+	0.99 ± 0.20a+	0.09 ± 0.01e
V	3.92 ± 0.22c+	20.71 ± 1.15c+	1.25 ± 0.19c+	0.11 ± 0.01
VI	4.07 ± 0.12c+	26.45 ± 1.50c+	1.72 ± 0.05c+	0.08 ± 0.01e

a− and c− represent significant decreases at p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group I values while a+,b+ and c+ represent significant increases at p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values. b represents a significant increase at p < 0.001 when compared to Group II values while e and f represent significant decreases at p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively, when compared to Group II values.

Histopathological evaluation

Figs. 1–6 are the photomicrographs of the lesions induced by CCl4-treatment and pre-CCl4 oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on the treated rat livers. Intraperitoneal CCl4 injection was marked by hepatic centrilobular vacuolation and vascular congestion indicative of early hepatic necrosis (Fig. 2) when compared to normal hepatic architecture (Fig. 1). However, oral pretreatments with 10 mg/kg/day of vitamin C and 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE for 7 days caused amelioration of the CCl4-induced histological lesions of hepatic necrosis (Figs. 3–6). Similarly, Figs. 7–11 show the histopathological findings of post-CCl4 oral pretreatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE on the liver tissue of CCl4-treated rats. Single intraperitoneal treatment with CCl4 caused marked vascular congestion with ballooning and vacuolation of periportal hepatocytes and hepatocytes around the central hepatic vein (Fig. 7) when compared to normal hepatic architecture (Fig. 1). With repeated daily oral pretreatments with 10 mg/kg of vitamin C and 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE, these histological changes were ameliorated in a dose-related fashion (Figs. 9–11).

Fig. 2

A sectional representative of untreated CCl4-treated rat liver showing hepatocyte ballooning and hepatic centrilobular necrosis and vascular congestion indicating early hepatic necrosis (Hematoxylin & Eosin stain, x400 magnification).

Fig. 1

A sectional representative of normal rat liver showing normal hepatic architecture (Hematoxylin & Eosin, x100 magnification).

Fig. 7

A sectional representative of untreated CCl4-treated rat liver showing marked vascular congestion with ballooning and vacuolation of periportal hepatocytes and hepatocytes around the central hepatic vein (Hematoxylin & Eosin, x100 magnification).

Discussion

The liver, as the key organ of drug metabolism and excretion, is naturally endowed with the major task of drug detoxification. Hepatotoxicants including viruses, fungal products, bacterial metabolites, minerals, environmental pollutants and chemotherapeutic agents can induce various and varying degrees of injury to the liver. CCl4-induced hepatic injury is a classical and reliable model of xenobiotic-induced hepatotoxicity that has been extensively used for the screening of drugs for their possible antihepatotoxic/hepatoprotective activity.

In the present study, the preventive and curative hepatoprotective effects of MIASE against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats were evaluated. Intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 elicited significant increases in the serum ALT, AST, ALP, TB and CB levels with concomitant significant decreases in the TP, ALB, TC, HDL-c and LDL-c levels. Significant serum elevations in these hepatic biochemical markers have been attributed to the compromised structural and functional integrity of the hepatocytes. Both preventive and curative oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE for 7 days significantly reversed the altered serum liver function parameters in the CCl4-treated rats with more significant hepatoprotective effect offered in the curative treatment. Results of this present study on the hepatoprotective activity of MIASE is in line with that earlier reported for the lupeol and mango pulp extract in carcinogen-induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss Albino mice despite differences in the doses, plant parts, and animal models studied. Again, the fact that MIASE significantly reversed the deleterious effect of CCl4 serum lipids is a strong indication of the anti-atherogenic potential of MIASE which lends support to the earlier report on the antihyperglycemic and anti-atherogenicity of mangiferin in streptozotocin diabetic rats. In the same vein, intraperitoneal treatment with CCl4 elicited hyperglycemia which was significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001) reduced dose-dependently by oral treatments with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE. Although, earlier studies have reported CCl4-induced hyperglycemia in rats treated with CCl4, the marked reduction in FBG values, suggests the antihyperglycemic potential of MIASE in CCl4-induced hyperglycemia in rats. Although several studies have independently reported the antihyperglycemic effect of MIASE in different diabetic rat models, this study reports for the first time the hypoglycemic effect of MIASE in the CCl4-induced hepatotoxic rats.

CCl4, as a potent chemical hepatotoxin, is widely used for the induction of experimental hepatotoxicity in animal models. CCl4 after its administration undergoes reductive metabolism by the hepatic CYP2E1 into a highly reactive trichloromethyl radical (CCl3•-) that initiates lipid peroxidation, disrupts membrane integrity and causes hepatocyte necrosis and death. In all of these, the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of hepatic disorders is well documented. The free radicals generated as a result of reductive halogenation of CCl4, in the presence of oxygen, lead to auto-oxidation of free fatty acids and cause functional and morphological alterations in the hepatocyte cell membrane after binding covalently to membrane lipids and proteins, or abstracting a hydrogen atom from and unsaturated lipid and initiating lipid peroxidation. Thus, prevention and/or inhibition of free radical generation and promotion of antioxidant activity constitute important defense system against CCl4-induced hepatic injury. In measuring free radicals-induced oxidative stress, enzyme markers such superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and for lipid peroxidation, catabolite such as malondialdehyde (MAD), are widely accepted and used.

In order to evaluate the effect of MIASE on CCl4-induced oxidative stress, hepatic tissue levels of GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, and MAD were measured. Administration of CCl4 by intraperitoneal route profoundly elevated the tissue activities of these antioxidant enzymes while significantly decreasing the hepatic tissue GSH concentration. Accompanying these biochemical changes are histological changes of hepatocyte vacuolation/ballooning and hepatic centrilobular necrosis. These biochemical and histopathological results are in strong consonance with the earlier findings of Brattin et al., Fukao et al. and Padhy et al. However, daily oral treatment with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE over 7 days afforded hepatoprotection dose-dependently with better protection offered by MIASE administered curatively than that offered prophylactically. In addition, MIASE administered post-CCl4 treatment produced marked dose-related reductions in the hepatic MAD level, MAD being a reliable index of lipid peroxidation. Thus, this results strongly further suggests anti-lipoperoxidation activity of MIASE. The antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidative properties of MIASE could be attributed to its constituent flavonoids and other polyphenolics as these phytocomponents have been widely reported to possess antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidative activities. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of MIASE for its secondary metabolites showed that the extract contains alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phlobatinnins, reducing sugars and saponins with anthocyanosides and anthraquinones being absent. This is in complete agreement with other earlier reports.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that MIASE has a potent hepatoprotective activity in CCl4-induced hepatic injury in rats. MIASE may possess both antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidative activities by inhibiting and scavenging free radicals generated by CCl4. These findings provide biochemical and histological data supporting folkloric use of MIASE in the local treatment of some hepatic disorders.