Subchronic Effects Of Apigenin On Liver Function And Lipid Peroxidation In Male Mice And Rats

Objectives To explore the effect of apigenin in different doses on mice’s and rat’s liver, in order to explore the mechanism and provide clues for further study and exploitation.Methods1.200male mice were randomly divided into four groups, including control group (NS10ml/kg), low dose group (AP252mg/kg), middle dose group (AP504mg/kg) and high dose group (AP1008mg/kg). The mice had been given NS or AP daily by intragastric administration once a day,6days per week, and5consecutive weeks. Sacrificed at the7,14,21,28and35days respectively. Venous blood was collected from eyehole to detect the activity of TP, ALB, GLO, ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP.10%liver homogenate was prepared and preserved at-20℃before detection. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were determined by colorimetric methods according to the provided procedures.2.48male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, including control group (NS10ml/kg), low-dose group (AP234mg/kg), middle-dose group (AP468mg/kg) and high-dose group (AP936mg/kg). The rats were administered with apigenin or saline via intragastriation once a day,6days per week, and5consecutive weeks. Rats were sacrificed and the livers were harvested and then immediately preserved at-20℃. Liver homogenate was prepared before detection. Hepatic and blood malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione (GSH) were determined by colorimetric methods according to the provided procedures.Results1. There was no significant difference in mice’s weight among experimental group with control group, except in middle-dose group of7days were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). 2. The rat’s weights of liver and spleen in apigenin treatment groups did not reveal statistically significant difference when compared with that in the control group (P>0.05).3. In mice’s serum, TP, ALB, AST, ALT, ALP in high dose group of7days were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). TP, ALB, ALT, AST in middle dose group of14days were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). TP, AST, ALT in low dose group of21days were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). ALB, AST, ALT, ALP in low, middle and high dose group of35days were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In rat’s serum, total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLO) in apigenin treatment groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).4. In rat’s serum, T-AOC in the low-dose group (AP,234mg/kg), middle-dose group (AP,468mg/kg) and high-dose group (AP,936mg/kg) were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). SOD in the low-dose group (AP,234mg/kg) were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CAT in high-dose group (AP,936mg/kg) were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). GSH-Px in the low-dose group (AP,234mg/kg) were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).5. In mice’s liver, T-AOC in high dose group of7days,14days,28days were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CAT in high dose group of7days,35days were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). MDA in high dose group of21days were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). SOD in high dose group of28days were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).6. In rat’s liver, SOD in the middle-dose group (AP,468mg/kg) and high-dose group (AP,936mg/kg) were significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). T-AOC, CAT and GSH-Px in apigenin treatment groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionsLiver function would be affected by apigenin sub-chronic exposure in male mice and rats. Apigenin anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant effects were not consistent in different doses and acting time to male mice and rats in different tissues. It’s suggested that the effective dosage of flavonoids compounds should be controlled at the suitable scope as a dietary antioxidant application.