Cissampelos capensis and Pleiocarpa pycantha Extracts Protect against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar

Abstract

Pleiocarpa pycantha (PP) and Cissampellos capensis (CC) showed potential phytoprotection in vitro. We then investigated this
effects against N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatic tumors and renal function in rat (n=5), treated as follows for 60
days: (1) Control (2) DEN, (3) DEN+PP (4) DEN+CC (5) DEN+PP+CC (6) PP, (7) CC only and group (8) PP+CC. Rats were
sacrificed and organs harvested for Biochemical and histological examination. DEN-induced hepatic tumors were counted and
measured, liver sections processed for histopathology. Furthermore, markers of oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and renal
function including superoxide dismutase, aspartate transaminase, and creatinine were assessed in serum, in addition to α-
fetoprotein and blood glucose levels. DEN treatment resulted in weight loss; elevated serum levels of hepatic transaminases, α-
fetoprotein and induction of T2-4 (tumour count) in experimental animals. Tumour incidences were reduced to T1-2, T1-2 and
T1 in the presence of PP, CC and PP+CC co-treatment respectively. Histological investigation revealed increased growth in
hepatic stellate cells and early fibrosis in DEN only treated group, which were partly reversed by PP and CC. Significant increase
in blood glucose level was observed in DEN treated animals compared to PP and CC treated groups. In addition, DEN treated
group were low in cellular antioxidant activity relative to other groups, which was elevated in the presence of PP and CC. Our
findings indicated that PP and CC co-treatment alleviated DEN-induced hepatic hepatotoxicity in exposed rats, reinforcing
earlier in vitro findings. PP and CC phytoprotective effect maybe relevant in protecting the liver against chemical carcinogens.