Phytochemical Contents of Salvia grossheimii SOSN. Species Extract and Its Protective Effect on Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Researchers are interested in finding new agents with natural sources to cure oxidant-induced diseases.

The study aimed at determining the antioxidant potential and protective effect of S. grossheimii extract against alcohol-induced fatty liver.

This experimental study was performed in Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. In 2016 - 2017. The sample size was determined to include 22 male Wistar rats (150 - 200 g) using Morgan’s table. In total, 18 rats were divided into three different groups to receive (1) 1 mL water daily (control), (2) 1 mL alcohol daily (alcohol group), and (3) 1 mL extract (500 mg/kg) and alcohol daily (alcohol + extract). Tissue and blood samples were obtained to determine the protective effect of S. grossheimii extract against alcohol-induced fatty liver by histological and biochemical examinations. The antioxidant activity of the extract was also assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

The extract possessed stronger antiradical activity (IC50: 0.102 ± 0.002 mg/mL) than Vitamin C (IC50: 0.162 ± 0.009 mg/mL). The histological studies found liver tissue injury in group 2 and biochemical examinations indicated significantly lower (P < 0.05) total protein content (0.205 ± 0.002 mg/g.W.t) and superoxide dismutase (42.11 ± 0.18 U protein/min) enzyme tissue activity than group 1 (TP: 0.236 ± 0.003 mg/g.W.t and SOD: 62.22 ± 0.90). In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than group 1. Also, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum enzyme levels (314.33 IU/L) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in alcohol-treated animals than in group 1 (152.33 IU/L). However, these injuries were remarkably lower (P < 0.05) in animals treated by the extract (group 3).

The results demonstrated the strong pharmaceutical activity of S. grossheimii extract to apply as a new antioxidant agent, especially for the treatment of fatty liver.