Open AccessProtective Effect of Cynara scolymus L. on Blood Biochemical Parameters and Liver Histopathological Changes in Phenylhydrazine-Induced Hemolytic Anemia in Rats
Author(s) -
Milad Allahmoradi,
Samad Alimohammadi,
Hadi Cheraghi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pharmaceutical and biomedical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2423-4494
pISSN - 2423-4486
DOI - 10.18502/pbr.v5i4.2397
Subject(s) - phenylhydrazine , antioxidant , lactate dehydrogenase , medicine , hemoglobin , haemolysis , anemia , alkaline phosphatase , intraperitoneal injection , saline , hemolytic anemia , endocrinology , chemistry , pharmacology , immunology , biochemistry , enzyme , medicinal chemistry
Background: Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) possesses bioactive components with antioxidant
effects. This plant has been widely used in traditional medicine.
Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the protective activity of Hydroethanolic
Extract of Cynara scolymus (HECS) against experimentally-induced hemolytic anemia in rats.
Methods: Hemolytic anemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Phenylhydrazine
(PHZ) 40 mg/kg for 2 days. PHZ induces oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species formation,
which causes hemolytic anemia. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6 for
each group). Group 1 (normal control) was injected with normal saline. Group 2 (anemic
control) received only PHZ. Groups 3 to 5 were injected with 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of the
HECS by gavage, respectively, daily from day 2 to day 15 after PHZ administration. At the
end of the treatment period, their blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and
histopathological analysis.
Results: The results indicated that serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the PHZ
(anemic) group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). A significant
decrease in serum liver enzymes was determined in rats treated with HECS at different doses
compared with the untreated anemic rats (P<0.05). Also, HECS significantly attenuated body
weight loss in the PHZ group (P<0.05). Besides, based on the histopathological evaluation,
HECS improved disarrangements of the liver parenchyma due to PHZ-induced hepatotoxicity.
Conclusion: HECS has hepatoprotective effects against PHZ-induced toxicity presumably by
its antioxidative activity.