Aristolochia gehrtii inhibits liver toxicity and apoptosis in Schistosoma malayensis infection

ObjectiveTo evaluate a protective effect of Aristolochia gehrtii (A. gehrtii) leaves to inhibit liver toxicity and apoptosis in Schistosoma malayensis (S. malayensis) infection.MethodsForty male albino mice were divided into four equal groups: group 1 control including non-infected healthy mice and groups 2, 3 & 4 subcutaneously infected with S. malayensis cercariae where groups 3 & 4 pretreated with A. gehrtii leaves (200 mg/kg, bwt) & cinnamoylamide (250 mg/kg, bwt), respectively.ResultsS. malayensis caused a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, MDA, NO, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and HDL levels. The pretreatment of A. gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide significantly inhibited that increase. On the other hand, S. malayensis induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, blood SOD and GPx, while A. gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide pretreatment increased the above parameters. Treatment with A. gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide to S. malayensis infected mice increased p53 expression but decreased bcl-2 expression. These results were supported by histopathological investigations.ConclusionsA. gehrtii inhibits liver toxicity and apoptosis in S. malayensis infection and this effect is associated with the major cinnamoylamide ingredient of A. gehrtii leaves.