Abstract
Tamarix gallica, a hepatic stimulant and tonic, was examined for its ability to inhibit thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic oxidative stress, toxicity and early tumor promotion response in male Wistar rats. TAA (6.6 mmol/kg body wt. i.p) enhanced lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide content, glutathione S-transferase and xanthine oxidase with reduction in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and caused depletion in the level of hepatic glutathione content. A marked increase in liver damage markers was also observed. TAA treatment also enhanced tumor promotion markers, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and [3H] thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA. Pretreatment of rats orally with Tamarix gallica extract (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) prevented TAA-promoted oxidative stress and toxicity. Prophylaxis with Tamarix gallica significantly reduced the susceptibility of the hepatic microsomal membrane for iron-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation, H2O2 content, glutathione S-transferase and xanthine oxidase activities. There was also reversal of the elevated levels of liver marker parameters and tumor promotion markers. Our data suggests that Tamarix gallica is a potent chemopreventive agent and may suppress TAA-mediated hepatic oxidative stress, toxicity, and tumor promotion response in rats.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Sarwat Sultana is thankful to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India for providing the necessary funds to conduct this study.