Phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective effects of phenolic components of Iraqi sumac (Rhus coriaria)
Sarah F. Hassan, Ahmed R. Abu‐Raghif, Enas Jawad Kadhim, Hayder Ridha‐Salman, Alaa Hamza Abbas
Abstract
Introduction and aim. Hyperlipidemia is a pathogenic disease associated with significant cardiovascular complications. Rhus coriaria, traditionally recognized as sumac, is abundant in numerous phenolic constituents that enhance its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The aim was to investigate the phytochemical and pharmacological attributes of phenolic constituents of R. coriaria. Material and methods. 32 male albino mice were assigned at random into 4 groups (n=8). Group 1 (control), group 2 (induced), group 3 (atorvastatin) and group 4 (phenolic). All groups received a diet that was rich in fat for a duration of 28 days, except the control group, which instead consumed a standard diet. Group 2 received no treatment, while group 3 and group 4 received atorvastatin 10 mg/kg and phenolic fractions of R. coriaria 500 mg/kg, respectively, for a further 28 days. Lipid profiles, oxidative indicators, biochemical parameters, and liver histopathological examination were estimated. Results. Phenolic fractions substantially improved total cholesterol (167.5±2.4 vs. 280.4±17.6 mg/dL), triglycerides (181.1±12.5 vs. 238.6±11.05 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (109.0±1.6 vs. 209.2±16.8 mg/dL), and very low-density lipoprotein (36.2±2.5 vs. 47.7±2.21), while raising high-density lipoprotein levels (42.3±1.8 vs. 23.5±2.3 mg/dL) as opposed to the induced group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the phenolic constituents significantly reduced liver enzyme activities like alanine transaminase (27.4±1.8 vs. 45.2±2.8 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (31.7±2.1 vs. 44.9±2.0 U/L), and alkaline phosphatase (28.0±2.1 vs.50.9±1.9 U/L), and decreased total blood bilirubin (0.6±0.08 vs. 1.7±0.1 mg/dL) and albumin (4.7±0.7 vs. 6.6±0.3 g/dL) when compared to the induced nontreated group (p<0.05). Phenolic treatment also alleviated tissue malondialdehyde (221.09±3.2 vs. 475.98±44.02 nmol/mL) and increased reduced glutathione (35.48±1.86 vs. 11.65±0.78 μg/mL) as compared to the group without induced non-treated group (p<0.05) and restored liver histopathological changes. Conclusion. Phenolic compounds have the potential to treat hyperlipidemia due to their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.