Hepatoprotective effect of Maytenus robusta Reiss extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and HepG2 cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.02.023
• Publication Date: 2017-03-08T11:23:12Z
• Authors: Liliani Carolini ...; Luisa Mota da Silva; José Roberto Santin; Tania Mari Bellé ...; Sérgio Faloni de ...; Clarissa de Medei...; Lidia Merlin; Rilton Alves de F...; Rivaldo Niero; Daisy Janice Agui...
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Cell Survival; Plant Extracts; Hep G2 Cells; Maytenus; Protective Agents; Antioxidants; 3. Good health; Plant Leaves; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Liver; Animals; Humans; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Carbon Tetrachloride

We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract from Maytenus robusta leaves in mice and HepG2 cells. The administration of CCl4 in mice promoted a deep destruction of the histological lobular structure and increased the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels by 46.25% compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The M. robusta extract reduced the hepatic histological changes and normalization the ALT levels. The antioxidant effect of M. robusta in liver tissue promoted the reduction in 31.5% on lipoperoxides levels (p < 0.05), increased by 101.5% the reduced glutathione content (p < 0.05) and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase by 21.3% (p < 0.05), 49.3% (p < 0.05), and 27.6% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared with the vehicle group. Moreover, the extract reduced hepatic inflammation by diminishing myeloperoxidase activity, TNF and interleukin-6 levels by 29.4% (p < 0.05), 46.1% (p < 0.01), and 59.5% (p < 0.0001), respectively, compared with the vehicle group. The viability of HepG2 cells after incubation with CCl4 was 29.56± 3.07%, whereas the extract (300 μg/mL) restored the viability to 65.27± 8.75% and aspartate aminotransferase levels to 41.82 ± 4.41 U/L. The extract scavenged DPPH (IC50 = 14.44 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 3.00 μg/mL) radicals and did not produce acute toxicity in mice at 2000 mg/kg. In conclusion, was confirmed the hepatoprotective potential of M. robusta by its antioxidant effects.