Effect of Bark Extract of Bathysa cuspidata on Hepatic Oxidative Damage and Blood Glucose Kinetics in Rats Exposed to Paraquat

• Published in: Toxicologic pathology 2012-01, Vol.40 (1), p.62-70
• Main Authors: Novaes, Rômulo Dias, Gonçalves, Reggiani Vilela, Marques, Daiane Cristina Santos, Cupertino, Marli do Carmo, Peluzio, Maria do Carmo Gouveia, Leite, João Paulo Viana, Maldonado, Izabel Regina dos Santos Costa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Body Weight; Catalase - metabolism; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - drug therapy; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - metabolism; Flavonoids - pharmacology; Histocytochemistry; Liver - chemistry; Liver - drug effects; Liver - metabolism; Male; Malondialdehyde - metabolism; Medical sciences; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Paraquat - toxicity; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Plant Bark - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Protective Agents - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rubiaceae - chemistry; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0192-6233; 1533-1601
• DOI: 10.1177/0192623311425059

This study investigated the effect of bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata on hepatic oxidative damage and blood glucose kinetics in rats exposed to paraquat. Wistar rats were exposed to a single dose of paraquat (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and treated with an ethanolic extract of Bathysa cuspidata (200 and 400 mg/kg). Analyses were conducted of liver edema, blood glucose, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, collagen, malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and histomorphometry. In the animals intoxicated with paraquat and treated with 400 mg/kg of extract, edema, hypertrophy of the nucleus of hepatocytes, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (p < .05). Catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, the number of hepatocytes per unit volume, and the glycogen proportion were maintained. The increase followed by progressive reduction of blood glucose observed in paraquat-exposed groups was significantly attenuated in the group treated with 400 mg/kg of extract (p < .05). Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic compounds. The bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata was able to inhibit large variations in blood glucose and reduce hepatic damage in rats exposed to paraquat. This finding suggests a contribution of the extract in reducing lipid peroxidation and the morphofunctional damage to the liver parenchyma.