Protective effect of Amaranthus spinosus against d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic failure

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP and LDH in control and experimental groups of rats. Values expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. ^ap < 0.05 compared with group 1; ^bp < 0.05 compared with group 3. Group 1, control (only vehicle); group 2, ASE (400 mg/kg alone); group 3, D-GalN and LPS 300 mg/kg and 30 µg/kg intoxicated; group 4, pretreatment of ASE 400 mg/kg and D-GalN/LPS.

Figure 2.  Levels of serum γ-GT and bilirubin in control and experimental groups of rats. Values expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. ^ap < 0.05 compared with group 1; ^bp < 0.05 compared with group 3. Group1, control (only vehicle); group 2, ASE (400 mg/kg alone); group 3, d-GalN and LPS 300 mg/kg and 30 µg/kg intoxicated; group 4, pretreatment of ASE 400 mg/kg and d-GalN/LPS.

Table 1.  Levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in control and experimental groups of rats.

Parameters	Cholesterol (mg/dL)	Triglycerides (mg/dL)	Free fatty acids (mg/dL)	Phospholipids (mg/dL)
Group 1	85.26 ± 5.25	40.78 ± 3.41	34.68 ± 1.34	91.84 ± 4.23
Group 2	85.31 ± 6.06	41.02 ± 2.03	34.82 ± 2.33	93.76 ± 3.44
Group 3	114.64 ± 6.54^a	103.86 ± 4.86^a	51.06 ± 3.76^a	58.76 ± 2.92^a
Group 4	90.46 ± 4.86^b	56.77 ± 2.04^b	42.89 ± 2.32^b	79.64 ± 3.74^b

Values expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. ^ap <0.05 compared with group 1. ^bp <0.05 compared with group 3. Group1, control (only vehicle); group 2, ASE (400 mg/kg alone); group 3, d-GalN and LPS 300 mg/kg and 30 µg/kg intoxicated; group 4, pretreatment of ASE 400 mg/kg and d-GalN/LPS.

Table 2.  Levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in the liver of control and experimental groups of rats.

Parameters	Cholesterol (mg/dL)	Triglycerides (mg/dL)	Free fatty acids (mg/dL)	Phospholipids (mg/dL)
Group 1	11.57 ± 1.46	23.52 ± 1.22	0.68 ± 0.0.16	25.78 ± 1.12
Group 2	12.18 ± 2.54	24.38 ± 1.32	0.71 ± 0.0.14	26.06 ± 0.84
Group 3	20.48 ± 0.77^a	46.33 ± 2.45^a	2.28 ± 0.152^a	18.36 ± 1.34^a
Group 4	17.02 ± 1.13^b	32.17 ± 0.72^b	1.44 ± 0.097^b	23.67 ± 0.37^b

Values expressed as mean ± SD; n = 6. ^ap < 0.05 compared with group 1; ^bp <0.05 compared with group 3. Group1, control (only vehicle); group 2, ASE (400 mg/kg alone); group 3, d-GalN and LPS 300 mg/kg and 30 µg/kg intoxicated; group 4, pretreatment of ASE 400 mg/kg and d-GalN/LPS.

Figure 3.  (A) Photomicrograph of d-GalN/LPS intoxicated rat liver section which shows loss of architecture and cell necrosis (perivenular) extending to the central zone. The cell necrosis with inflammatory collections is more prominent in the central zone than around central vein. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (100×). (B) Photomicrograph of control rat liver section showing normal architecture. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (100×). (C) Photomicrograph of liver section of rat pre-treated with ASE prior to d-GalN/LPS challenge showing central vein surrounded by hepatocytes with sinusoidal dilatation with occasional inflammatory cells. No hepatic necrosis was seen around central vein or in the central zone. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (100×). (D) Photomicrograph of liver section of rat treated with ASE alone for 10 days showing normal liver parenchyma with central vein and cords of hepatocytes. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (100×).