abstract

• The present study aimed to analyze the antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy of watercress extract against liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 (0.8 mL/kg, i.p) in an in vivo rat model. Four groups were included, each with five animals (n =5): 1) Intact, 2) CCl4-induced for 4 weeks, 3) CCl4-induced for 8 weeks, and 4) CCl4-induced for 4 weeks followed by watercress extract treatment (600 mg/kg/day) until week 8. Tissue samples were analyzed using histological techniques (H&E, Sirius Red, Masson’s trichrome stain), biochemical methods, and gene expression analysis of IL-1, IL-10, TGF-β, NRF2, Keap1, Acta2, Timp-2, MMP-13, and MMP-9. Watercress extract administration resulted in improvements by preventing steatosis and fibrosis. It also increased IL-10 expression in the liver and intestine. Additionally, the expression of fibrogenic markers such as TGF-β, Col 1α, Acta2, and Timp-2 was regulated. These results suggest that orally administered watercress extract prevents the progression of liver fibrosis.

authors

• Aldaba-Muruato L.R.
• Macías Pérez José Roberto
• Martínez-Hernández S.L.
• Ventura-Juárez J.

publication date

• 2023-01-01

funding provided via

• CONAHCYT. Mexico [241312, A1-S-21375]; Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes. Mexico [PIBB19-11 N]; INCyTEA  Grant

published in

• Journal of Functional Foods  Journal

keywords

• Hepatoprotective activity, interleukin, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress, watercress extract

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105760

PubMed ID

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volume

• 109

issue