Hepatoprotective effects of green Capsicum annum against ethanol induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats
Authors: Moumita Das
Gouriprosad Datta
Kuladip Jana
Subhashree Basu
Anurupa Sen
Bhaswati Banerjee
Journal: Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2018)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Antioxidant; Apoptosis; Capsicum annum; Hepato-protective; Interleukin 6
Affiliations: Department of Physiology, Rammohan College, 85A, Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India., Department of Physiology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, Poorba Medinipur, India., Department of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P-1/12 C.I.T. Scheme VIIM, Kolkata 700054, West Bengal, India., Department of Physiology, City College, Kolkata, India., Department of Physiology, Rammohan College, 85A, Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Ethnopharmacological relevance: Capsicum annum L. (CA) is used extensively as a spice and is a rich source of antioxidant vitamins. It has long been used in Indian, Native American, and Chinese traditional medicine as a carminative and an appetizer that normalizes liver function. However, its hepato-protective activity has so far not been studied. Aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extract of CA at two different doses (125 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight), against ethanol induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver tissue. Materials and methods: Adult male Wistar rats, weighing 150-200 g, were randomly grouped (n = 6) and treated with ethanol (2 g/kg bw, i.p.), CA125 (125 mg/kg bw, i.p.), CA250 (250 mg/kg bw, i.p.), ethanol with CA (similar doses), and control (0.5 ml normal saline, i.p.) for 30 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) in tissue homogenate, along with catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD &amp; Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P-D) activity were evaluated. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHLS), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), tumour necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were also measured using ELISA kits. Histopathological evaluation of the hepatic tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining. TUNEL assay was performed for apoptosis detection. Results: Ethanol significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-α, IL-6, LPO, Cu-Zn-SOD, GST, GPx, TG, CHLS, LDL, VLDL levels, along with significant (p &lt; 0.001) decrease in HDL, Mn-SOD, CAT, GSH, GR and G6PD activity. Co-administration of CA along with ethanol alleviated changes in the above parameters (p &lt; 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner and also reduced the number of apoptotic death cells. Histo-pathological and histo-chemical studies of liver sections also ascertained the outcomes of this study. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that the aqueous extract of green CA can exert a protective effect against ethanol induced hepato-toxicity. The possible mechanism may be by acting as an antioxidant; preventing ethanol induced apoptosis and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 5B appears to have 2 different images of the same tissue area, with modest horizontal difference in dimension. Outlined with green boxes. Could the authors check? *** ![file] , 
 Figure 5C appears to have 2 different images of the same tissue area, when one image is flipped vertically and stretched horizontally. Color intensity also appears slightly different. Labels in the previous comment. *** ![file] , 
 Firstly, we do regret the delay in response due to the pandemic situation worldwide. In addition, the internet service has also been interrupted and very badly affected by the super-cyclone (Umphan) in West Bengal, India. We appreciate your careful reading of our manuscript and your comments as well. After careful checking with the original data, we found that:- In figure 5B, the images are of tissues from different experimental groups and not from the same tissue section. As we have repeated the same set of experiments atleast thrice, with animals taken from the same batch, occurrence of similar hepatic architecture as indicated is purely incidental and unintentional. Moreover, as observed from other biochemical parameters, (EtOH + Sily) group bears no significant difference compared to control; this similarity in histological section though obvious is difficult to explain in in-vivo system. However, as queries have arisen, for convenience of the readers we are replacing the concerned histological image with image from another tissue section of the same group. Itu2019s very unfortunate and the authors highly regret this co-incidence. However, this change will in no way interfere with the results and conclusion of the study. In figure 5C, there was no duplication of the images. The difference in colour intensity may be partly due to difference in DNA content which is signified by the intensity of magenta colour and partly due to image compression while figure assimilation and file uploading. However, for satisfaction and easy accessibility of the readers, we are hereby attaching the figure with modified images. We do assure you that these modifications will not affect the results and conclusion of the study. Moreover, an erratum corrigendum will be communicated shortly to the journal. Thank you again for your detailed observation. ![file] , 
 #3 Could the authors provide an update? , 
 #4 We have communicated with the Journal on 29th September, 2020, which they have acknowledged on 4th October, 2020. But the formal procedure regarding the publication of corrigendum is yet to be received from the Journal s end. We will shortly send a reminder to the Journal again. , 
 Figure 5A also seems to have a repeated image, after rotation and change in aspect ratio. Very difficult to understand how those transformations would occur by accident during figure assembly. *** ![file] ,