Hepatoprotective activity of date fruit extracts against dichloroacetic acid-induced liver damage in rats

Amira El Arem; Fatma Ghrairi; Lamia Lahouar; Amira Thouri; Emna Behija Saafi; Amel Ayed; Mouna Zekri; Hanen Ferjani; Zohra Haouas; Abdelfattah Zakhama; Lotfi Achour

Journal of Functional Foods (Jul 2014)

Hepatoprotective activity of date fruit extracts against dichloroacetic acid-induced liver damage in rats

Amira El Arem,
Fatma Ghrairi,
Lamia Lahouar,
Amira Thouri,
Emna Behija Saafi,
Amel Ayed,
Mouna Zekri,
Hanen Ferjani,
Zohra Haouas,
Abdelfattah Zakhama,
Lotfi Achour

Affiliations

Amira El Arem: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia; Corresponding author. Tel.: +216 55 53 77 98; fax: +216 73 465 404.
Fatma Ghrairi: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Sousse, University of Sousse, 99/UR/08-45, Avenue Mohamed Karoui, 4002, Tunisia
Lamia Lahouar: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Amira Thouri: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Emna Behija Saafi: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Amel Ayed: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Mouna Zekri: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Hanen Ferjani: Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Substances Biologiquement Compatibles (LRSBC), Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Rue Avicenne, Monastir 5019, Tunisia
Zohra Haouas: Laboratory of Histology and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir 5019, Tunisia
Abdelfattah Zakhama: Service of Pathological Anatomy CHU F. Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia
Lotfi Achour: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biology Integrative and Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia; Corresponding author. Tel.: +216 73 465 405; fax: +216 73 465 404.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
pp. 119 – 130

Abstract

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The hepatoprotective activity of an aqueous date extract (ADE) against dichloroacetic acid (DCA) induced liver damage in rats was investigated. The free radical scavenging activity of ADE was evaluated using the DPPH assay. The total carbohydrate phenolic, flavonoid and condensed tannins contents of the ADE were determined. Different polyphenolic compounds, namely gallic, chlorogenic, protocatechuic, ferulic, caffeic, syringic, m-hydroxybenzoic, coumaric and phenylacetic acids, and catechin, were indentified. Oral administration of the ADE to male Wistar intoxicated with DCA at 0.5 and 2 g/l as drinking water for 2 months, demonstrated a significant protective effect by lowering the levels of hepatic marker enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH and GGT) and conjugated bilirubin, and by improving the histological architecture of the rat liver. ADE attenuated oxidative stress by decreasing the extent of hepatic TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) formation, restoring the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx and by reducing the hepatic DNA fragmentation. This study demonstrated that ADE protects rat liver from DCA-induced injury and suggests a potential therapeutic use for ADE.

Published in Journal of Functional Foods

ISSN: 1756-4646 (Print); 2214-9414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-functional-foods

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