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In vitro hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of crude extract and isolated compounds from Ficus gnaphalocarpa

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Abstract

The in vitro hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract from Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) Steud. ex A. Rich (Moraceae) on the CCl4-induced liver cell damage as well as the possible antioxidant mechanisms involved in this protective effect, were investigated. The phytochemical investigation of this methanolic extract led to the isolation of six compounds identified as: betulinic acid (1); 3-methoxyquercetin (2); catechin (3); epicatechin (4); quercetin (5); and quercitrin (6). The hepatoprotective activity of these compounds was tested in vitro against CCl4-induced damage in rat hepatoma cells. In addition, radical-scavenging activity, β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, ferric-reducing antioxidant parameter and microsomal lipid peroxidation assays were used to measure antioxidant activity of crude extract and isolated compounds. Silymarin and trolox were used as standard references and, respectively, exhibited significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. (5), (6) and (2) showed significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities as indicated by their ability to prevent liver cell death and lactate dehydrogenase leakage during CCl4 intoxication. These results suggest that the protective effects of crude extract of F. gnaphalocarpa against the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity possibly involve the antioxidant effect of these compounds.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the University Centre for International Cooperation and Development (CICOPS) and by the Institute for Right to University Studies (ISU University of Pavia, Italy). Partial financial support from PRIN funds (MIUR, Italy) is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Donfack J. Hubert, Tchana N. Angele & Moundipa F. Paul

  2. Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Amadou Dawe & Ngadjui T. Bonaventure

  3. Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Ngueguim T. Florence

  4. Department of Chemistry, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Kapche D. W. F. Gilbert

  5. Dipartimento di Medicina Legale, Sc. Forensi e Farmacotossicologiche Sezione di Sc. Farmacologiche e Tossicologiche, Università Degli Studi di Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    D. Buonocore & Fulvio Marzatico

  6. Dipartimento di Chimica Organica, Centre of Ethnobiopharmacy (CISTRE), Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    P. Vita Finzi & G. Vidari

Authors
  1. Donfack J. Hubert
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  2. Amadou Dawe
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  3. Ngueguim T. Florence
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  4. Kapche D. W. F. Gilbert
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  5. Tchana N. Angele
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  6. D. Buonocore
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  7. P. Vita Finzi
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  8. G. Vidari
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  9. Ngadjui T. Bonaventure
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  10. Fulvio Marzatico
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  11. Moundipa F. Paul
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Correspondence to Donfack J. Hubert.

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Hubert, D.J., Dawe, A., Florence, N.T. et al. In vitro hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of crude extract and isolated compounds from Ficus gnaphalocarpa . Inflammopharmacol 19, 35–43 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0070-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0070-4

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