Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Simarouba amara Aublet (Simaroubaceae) stem bark against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 19; no. 11; pp. 17735 - 17746
• Main Authors: Maranhão, Hélida M L, Vasconcelos, Carlos F B, Rolim, Larissa A, Neto, Pedro J Rolim, Neto, Jacinto da C Silva, Filho, Reginaldo C da Silva, Fernandes, Mariana P, Costa-Silva, João H, Araújo, Alice V, Wanderley, Almir G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 31.10.2014; MDPI
• Subjects: Acids; Animals; antioxidant; Antioxidants; Carbon; carbon tetrachloride; Carbon Tetrachloride - adverse effects; catechin; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - drug therapy; Chromatography; Cocoa; hepatoprotection; Inflammation; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Liver - drug effects; Liver diseases; Malaria; Male; Metabolites; Oxidative stress; Phytochemicals; Plant Bark - chemistry; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Stems - chemistry; Protective Agents - chemistry; Protective Agents - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Simarouba; Simarouba - chemistry; Simarouba amara; Simaroubaceae; Brazil; ASW, Brazil
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules191117735

Simarouba amara stem bark decoction has been traditionally used in Brazil to treat malaria, inflammation, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wounds and as a tonic. In this study, we investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of S. amara stem bark (SAAE) on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. SAAE was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. The animals were divided into six groups (n = 6/group). Groups I (vehicle-corn oil), II (control-CCl4), III, IV, V and VI were pretreated during 10 consecutive days, once a day p.o, with Legalon® 50 mg/kg b.w, SAAE at doses 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, respectively. The hepatotoxicity was induced on 11th day with 2 mL/kg of 20% CCl4 solution. 24 h after injury, the blood samples were collected and their livers were removed to biochemical and immunohistochemical analyzes. The SAAE decreased the levels of liver markers and lipid peroxidation in all doses and increased the catalase levels at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg. Immunohistochemical results suggested hepatocyte proliferation in all doses. These results may be related to catechins present in SAAE. Thus, SAAE prevented the oxidative damage at the same time that increased regenerative and reparative capacities of the liver.