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An aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana variety Morita II prevents liver damage in a rat model of cirrhosis that mimics the human disease.
- Source :
-
Annals of hepatology [Ann Hepatol] 2019 May - Jun; Vol. 18 (3), pp. 472-479. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 15. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Introduction and Aim: Stevia has exhibited antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties in several in vivo and in vitro models. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of stevia (AES) to prevent experimental cirrhosis in rats and to explore its mechanism of action.<br />Materials and Methods: Liver cirrhosis was induced by administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl <subscript>4</subscript> ) (400mg/kg by i.p. injection 3 times a week for 12 weeks); AES was administered (100mg/kg by gavage daily) during the CCl <subscript>4</subscript> treatment. Fibrosis was evaluated with histological, biochemical and molecular approaches, and liver damage was assessed with standardized procedures. The profibrotic pathways were analyzed by western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.<br />Results and Conclusions: Chronic CCl <subscript>4</subscript> administration increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokine production as well as oxidative parameters such as lipid peroxidation and 4-hydroxynonenal levels, whereas GSH and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were decreased. CCl <subscript>4</subscript> induced profibrogenic mediator expression, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and, consequently, extracellular matrix production. AES exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties, probably because of its capacity to induce Nrf2 expression, reduce NF-κB expression and block several profibrogenic signaling pathways, subsequently inhibiting HSC activation and preventing fibrosis induced by chronic CCl <subscript>4</subscript> administration.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 Fundación Clínica Médica Sur, A.C. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Humans
Liver drug effects
Liver metabolism
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental metabolism
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental pathology
Male
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Sweetening Agents pharmacology
Liver pathology
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental prevention & control
Oxidative Stress
Plant Extracts pharmacology
Stevia
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1665-2681
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Annals of hepatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31053541
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aohep.2018.10.002