Protection against hepatic oxidative damage induced by iron by the aqueous extract of Plectranthus barbatus

The Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is a plant largely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The objective of this work was to study the protective effect of the aqueous extract of P.barbatus (EAPB) against damage caused by iron overload induced by iron dextra...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Perandin, D. [UNESP], Maioli, M.a. [UNESP], Santos, P.r.s. [UNESP], Pereira, F.t.v. [UNESP], Mingatto, F.e. [UNESP]
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/212937
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1983-084X/12_019
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/212937
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Plectranthus barbatus
iron
liver
toxicity
oxidative stress
ferro
fígado
toxicidade
estresse oxidativo
Descripción
Sumario:The Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is a plant largely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The objective of this work was to study the protective effect of the aqueous extract of P.barbatus (EAPB) against damage caused by iron overload induced by iron dextran in rat liver. Treatment with iron-dextran induced a significant reduction in the glutathione levels in treated animals compared to control group, and the pretreatment of animals with EAPB protected the liver from the effects caused by iron in this parameter. With respect to lipid peroxidation, a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in treated animals compared to control was observed; however, when the animals were pretreated with EAPB, there was a significant reduction in the MDA levels. Histopathological analysis showed that the group treated with iron-dextran showed iron granules in the cytoplasm of the Kupffer cells and some of them presented enlarged nuclei. The group previously treated with EAPB showed the disappearance of the signs of damage to the Kupffer cells with no nucleus hypertrophy but with the presence of iron granules completely phagocytosed by these cells, which showed a normal morphological appearance. Therefore, the EAPB may be useful in the prevention of liver damage induced by iron overload.