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Hassan et al. Potential antioxidant activity of cape gooseberry against HCC

aminotransferase activity is more specific for liver of H 2 O 2 , which is an effective inhibitor of SOD. [50,51] The
injury due to damage to the liver cell membrane. [40] reduction in the activity of CAT may reflect the inability
As well, alkaline phosphatase is used as a specific of tissues to eliminate H 2 O 2 . CAT protects SOD
tumor marker for making diagnoses in the early against inactivation by H 2 O 2 , while SOD protects CAT
2-
detection of cancer. [41] This enzyme is involved in the against inhibition by (O ). Thus, the balance of this
transport of metabolites across cell membranes, in enzyme system may be essential to eliminating ROS
protein synthesis, secretory activities and glycogen generated in the tissues. In this area, GSH represents
metabolism. It is a membrane-bound enzyme, an important defense mechanism in protecting cells
and its alteration is likely to affect the membrane against ROS. [52] On the other hand, the enormous
permeability that produces derangement in the transport impacts of CGJ supplementation in alleviating
[42]
of metabolites. oxidative stress in all organs in the HHC rats may be
attributed to either a direct effect of many antioxidant
The observed increases of serum and liver ALP in HCC compounds of CGJ as free radical scavengers, or to
rat groups may be due to altered gene expression. [43] enhancement of cellular antioxidant defense functions.
In the current study, the HCC rats group suffered from This occurs through modulating the alteration in
severe oxidative stress in various organs, achieved GSH content and antioxidant enzymes activity. An
by elevation of MDA level and depletion of antioxidant amelioration of AFP after supplementation of CGJ
enzymes. This may be due to the conversion of to HCC rats may be due to the antioxidant activity of
cellular poly-unsaturated fatty acids to the toxic product CGJ. Additionally, the observed increase in alterations
MDA which has a cytotoxicity and inhibitory action to liver enzymes, including ALT, AST and ALP, in HCC-
on cellular protective enzymes. [44] HCC caused by received CHJ rats may be due to the improvement of
carcinogenic DENA generally reflects instability of the functional status of hepatocytes with preservation
liver metabolism associated with free radicals species of cellular architecture leakage of intracellular enzymes
(ROS) generation, which leads to oxidative stress and through membrane-stabilizing activity. [18,53]
alterations in antioxidant defense mechanisms. [35,45]
Increased level of MDA has been reported during Previous studies have suggested that CGJ is a
DENA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. This dynamic [54]
action may further lead to uncompromised production significant source of natural antioxidative compounds.
of free radicals overwhelming the cellular antioxidant These components may have a wide variety of
defense. [46,47] Moreover, HCC causes depletion of chemical structures that could react with radicals by
SOD and CAT activity as well as TAC and GSH donating protons (free radical quenching), radical
contents in all observed organs. Such studies addition, redox reaction (electron transfer) and radical
[12]
support the current findings, as the current study combination. Natural antioxidants could prevent
showed a significant decrease in the activities of the deleterious effects of toxic agents by scavenging
antioxidant enzyme in the liver of animals treated with free radicals and other ROS or by modulation of the
carcinogen. [35] Antioxidants are substances that either inflammatory response. The supplementation of CGJ
directly or indirectly protect cells against adverse to the HCC rats model resulted in amelioration of
effects of xenobiotics, drugs, carcinogens and toxic oxidative stress. The improvement of the antioxidants
radical reactions. [48] The observed decrease in SOD defense mechanism is considered a favorable indicator
activity in liver, kidney, brain and testes suggests the for anti-lipid peroxidative properties and antioxidant
inactivation of antioxidant enzymes; this is possibly activity through high levels of antioxidant compounds
due to increased superoxide radical production or such as polyphenols and similar flavonoids. [55,56]
to an inhibition by H 2 O 2 as a result of corresponding
decrease in the activity of catalase which selectively The observed decreases in MDA in HCC rats that
degrades H 2 O 2 . [49] The decreased GSH, SOD and received CGJ may be due to free radicals scavenging,
CAT observed in the HCC group of rats may be due a potential mechanism by which CHJ can act as an
to accumulation of lipid peroxidation that was seen to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to protect the liver
increase during carcinogenesis. and other organs. Therefore, dietary consumption of
cape gooseberry may be a highly effective potential
The accompanying reduction in the activity of SOD, antioxidant and protective agent against oxidative
CAT and depletion of GSH content suggests induction stress in liver toxicity. [57,58]
of oxidative stress in the organs studied. SOD is
considered the first line of defense against deleterious In view of the present results, it was observed that
effects of oxygen free radicals in the cells by catalyzing CGJ supplementation showed a significant antioxidant
of superoxide radicals (O ) to H 2 O 2 and molecular status as manifested by elevation of GSH, TAC, SOD
2-
oxygen. CAT is also responsible for the detoxification and CAT in serum and various organs. Many plant
Hepatoma Research ¦ Volume 3 ¦ February 28, 2017 31