Antioxidant Properties of Salvia officinalis Decoction Extract and Mechanism of Its Protective Effects on Ethanol-Induced Liver and Kidney Injuries.

This study assessed the hepato- and nephroprotective effects of Salvia officinalis flowers decoction extract (SODE) against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative stress in rats as well as the possible mechanism implicated in such protection. Animals were divided into four groups: control, EtOH, and EtOH+SODE. Wistar rats were pretreated with SODE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, body weight [b.w.], p.o.) for 15 days and intoxicated during 2 h by acute oral administration of EtOH (4 g/kg, b.w.) 60 min after the last dose of SODE. We found that SODE pretreatment, in vivo, protected against EtOH-induced liver and kidney injuries evident by plasma transaminases activity and preservation of the hepatic tissue structure. Compared with the control group, the animals treated with the SODE showed a significant decrease (68.81 ± 6.89-50.65 ± 3.97 UI/L) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 144.38 ± 6.58-113.64 ± 8.03 UI/L) in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, the plant extract significantly and dose dependently increased (0.175 ± 0.077-0.302 ± 0.011 mmol/L) the uric acid. The SODE counteracted EtOH-induced liver and kidney lipoperoxidation, preserved sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and glutathione reduced (GSH) contents. Our extract prevented the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We also showed that acute alcohol administration increased tissue and plasma hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), calcium and free iron levels. Of interest, SODE pretreatment reversed all EtOH-induced disturbances in intracellular mediators. More importantly, SODE treatment significantly protected against alcohol-induced inflammation by reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in plasma. It was concluded that the SODE exerted a potential protective effect against EtOH-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the rat organs. This study recommends that the consumption of sage flowers is useful for patients who suffer from hepato- and nephrotoxicity.

Protective effects of Crataegus azarolus L. berries aqueous extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rat.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder responsible for about 5 million deaths annually. The chemical composition, the antioxidant activity of Crataegus azarolus berries aqueous extract (CABAE) as well as its protective effects against castor oil-induced diarrhea, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rat were studied. METHODS: Sixty male rats were used and divided into six groups of ten animals in each: Control (C), castor oil (CO), CO+various doses of CABAE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w., p.o.), and CO+loperamide (LOP, 10 mg/kg b.w., p.o.). KEY RESULTS: The CABAE showed relatively high levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. The LC-HRESIMS technique allowed the identification of 5 phenolic compounds and the major component is quinic acid. In vivo studies showed that CABAE protected against castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal fluid accumulation. The CABAE counteracted castor oil-induced lipoperoxidation, preserved GSH and thiol groups levels, and prevented the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The CABAE administration also protected against castor oil-induced inflammatory markers (ALP and CRP) increase. More importantly, castor oil induced an increase of intracellular mediators, such as hydrogen peroxide, free iron, and calcium, while CABAE pretreatment significantly reversed them to near control levels. CONCLUSION: The Crataegus azarolus berries aqueous extract significantly protected against diarrhea due in part to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Phytochemical/Antioxidant Properties and Individual/Synergistic Actions of Salvia officinalis L. Aqueous Extract and Loperamide on Gastrointestinal Altering Motor Function.

Medicinal plants are known by pharmacological relevance and were used for long time to prevent/treat numerous gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The current study focuses on the phytochemical/antioxidant characteristics of sage aqueous extract (SAE), as well as its pharmacological actions on altering motor function in the intestine and related disruptions. In vitro phytochemical/antioxidant properties were investigated by colorimetric/biochemical methods. Male rats were divided into seven groups of six animals in each: control (C), castor oil (CO), CO + loperamide (LOP, 10 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.), CO + various doses of SAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.), and the mixture (MIX: SAE, 50 mg/kg, b.w., p.o. + LOP, 5 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.) group. In vivo GI/physiological/pharmacological actions of SAE were explored based on the watery/frequent stools, enteropooling, and GI transit time, as well as their associated disturbances. The aqueous extract of S. officinalis contains high tannins/flavonols/anthocyanin contents and a strong, free radical scavenging activity (EC50 = 48.56 ± 0.34 µg/mL). SAE/MIX significantly reduced CO-induced diarrhea in a dose-dependent manner. SAE/MIX decreased also the gastric and intestinal mucosal malondialdehyde/hydrogen peroxide levels and preserved the normal activities/levels of enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidants. Added to that, we showed that SAE/MIX pretreatment provided stability of lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides), hepatic transaminases, renal injury indicators, and C-reactive protein/alkaline phosphatase levels changed by CO intoxication. These findings suggested that SAE/MIX exerted benefic individual/synergistic effects confirming their use as a strategy in the treatment of GI physiological disorders.