Hydroalcoholic Extract of Iranian Caper Leaves Protects Hepatic Toxicity by Suppressing Oxidative Stress in Mice

Capparis spinosa L. (caper) is an aromatic plant, commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, possessing numerous antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids, and vitamin C in its leaves. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of Iranian caper leaves extract on oxidative stress caused by CCl۴ in the mice’s liver.This study was conducted on ۴۲ male mice in seven groups. The control group, the sham group, the CCl۴ group, the Iranian caper leaves extract ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۴۰۰ mg/kg + CCl۴ groups. Then, Biochemicals, oxidative stress, and hepatic histopathology parameters were evaluated. The co-administration of Iranian caper leaves extract, and CCl۴ significantly decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde (P<۰.۰۰۱) and significantly increased the levels of glutathione and catalase in comparison with the group treated with CCl۴ alone (P<۰.۰۱). Furthermore, Iranian caper leaves extract improved histopathological changes such as the the inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes. Iranian caper leaves extract has protective effects on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl۴, mainly through suppressing oxidative stress.

Keywords:

Iranian caper , Carbon tetrachloride , Oxidative stress , Liver , Mice