Hepatoproductive effects of sena tora leave extract on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity

Project Abstract

Liver diseases are a major health concern globally, and finding effective treatments is crucial. Sena tora (Senna tora) is a plant known for its medicinal properties, including hepatoprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Sena tora leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats. Rats were divided into four groups control, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treated, S. tora extract treated, and S. tora extract plus CCl4 treated. Liver function tests, antioxidant enzyme activities, histopathological examination, and gene expression analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of the extract. The results showed that pretreatment with Sena tora leaf extract significantly reduced the levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and total bilirubin compared to the CCl4 group. The extract also increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and reduced lipid peroxidation levels, indicating its antioxidant properties. Histopathological examination revealed that Sena tora extract attenuated liver damage induced by CCl4, showing reduced necrosis, inflammation, and fatty changes in hepatocytes. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that the extract modulated the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis pathways. Sena tora extract downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-?, IL-6) and fibrogenic markers (?-SMA, collagen) while upregulating the expression of antioxidant genes (Nrf2, HO-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). Overall, the findings suggest that Sena tora leaf extract possesses hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats. The extract exerts its effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic mechanisms, as evidenced by the improvement in liver function tests, antioxidant enzyme activities, histopathological changes, and gene expression profiles. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the hepatoprotective effects of Sena tora extract and to explore its potential for the development of therapeutic agents for liver diseases.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong>&nbsp;Many of the developing countries including African countries like Nigeria practice traditional medicine as its main source of health care. This traditional medicine is normally gotten from plant origin [Rehan Ahmad <em>et al</em>, 2008, Stephen bent, 2008].Today nearly 88 percent of the global populations switch to plant derived medicines as their first line of defence for maintaining health and combating diseases [Kintzois <em>et al</em>,2006]. Presently there are about 60 types of medicinal plants that have been recognised in primary health care and are classified according to their pharmacological actions such as peptic ulcers, anti flatulence, laxative, anti diarrhoea and anti hepatic[Viomolos <em>et al</em>,2003]. However in future the discovery of novel therapeutic agents will be only dependent on plant origin [Perulmalsamy <em>et al</em>, 1999]. <em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Senna tora</em>&nbsp;is an example of traditional medicine with pharmacological actions as anticholesterolemic,antispasmodic,carninitative, emolliants, ophthalmic and purgative [Polunin and Stanton,1984,Yeung,1985,Manandhar, 2002]. It can be cardiotonic, antiperiodic, anthelminitic and expectorant and can also be used in treating cogh,leprosy ,ring worm ,colic,flatulence,constipation and other disorders[Nature serve,2007]. <em>Senna tora </em>formally regarded as cassia tora is capable of suppressing the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory agonists such as cytokines, histamine, kinin and free radical.manila,1998 buttressed his observations confirming its use in the treatment of constipation, edema and liver protection in Korea. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Liver, the largest internal organ of the human body performs more than five hundred functions, all of which are very vital to life. The liver can regenerate or grow back cells that have been destroyed by short term injury or disease, but if the liver is damaged repeatedly over a long period of time, it may undergo irreversible changes which permanently interferes with its function. Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic substance that interrupts the liver and its functions. This is to say that it damages the liver when ingested.CCL4 is stable in the presence of air and light, it is also inflammable. Despite its toxic effect on the liver, it is useful as grain fumigant ,pesticide etc. Equilibrium of the body fluids and secretions are altered as a result of carbon tetrachloride. For instance lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism and &nbsp;biotransformation functions of the liver are terminated or altered in the presence of CCL4.Thus carbon tetrachloride is lethal. The liver produces some enzyme such as aspartate amino transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase,gamma glutamyl transsferase etc which catalyses the biochemical activities of the body, and on the attack of CCL4 to the liver ,these enzymes will not be produced. Free radicals are highly reactive compounds with uneven number of electrons in their outermost orbit. This can react with cellular compounds like unsaturated fatty acids and can generate new free radicals which result in irreversible biochemical injury like membrane damage, apotosis and cell necrosis. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and stop the subsequent reactions hence protecting the macromolecules and cellular environment from toxicity and degeneration [Hong B.O. Shao <em>et al</em>, 2008].The oxygen consumption inherent in cell growth leads to the generation of series of reactive oxygen species [ROS].The ROS are molecules such as superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals[OH]. ROS may be very damaging attacking the lipids of cell membrane and DNA mutation which may further propagate the propagation of many diseases[Valontao <em>et al</em>&nbsp;2002,Gulcin <em>et al</em>&nbsp;2003]. Reactive oxygen species are continuously produced during normal Physiological events and are removed by antioxidants defence mechanism [Buyukokuroglu <em>et al</em>,2001]. Many results have shown that some of the cassia species have acquired antimicrobial substances and antioxidant activities.</p><p><strong>1.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; AIMS OF THE RESEARCH</strong></p><p>The aim of this research is to find out hepatoproductive effects of <em>sena tora</em>&nbsp;leave extract on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity.</p> <br><p></p>