Black radish root extract alleviates sodium valproate-induced liver damage via inhibiting mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and oxidative stress in mice

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) root extract on liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in mice with sodium valproate-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Thirty-two mice were divided into four groups: the control group received drinking water by gavage, the second group was administered with 100 mg/kg of sodium valproate, the third group received 300 mg/kg of black radish root extract, and the fourth group was given both sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) and black radish root extract (300 mg/kg). After 28 days, the mice were euthanized, and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), along with liver malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial parameters, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene expression, and histopathological changes were assessed. Results: Sodium valproate caused hepatic damage in mice, characterized by elevated serum levels of liver enzymes, increased MDA and ROS levels and TNF-α gene expression, as well as histopathological alterations. The black radish root extract significantly alleviated sodium valproate-caused hepatic injury by decreasing the serum levels of ALT and AST, MDA, ROS, TNF-α gene expression, as well as mitochondrial impairment, but did not have a significant effect on sodium valproate-induced histopathological changes. Conclusions: The black radish root extract demonstrates protective effects against sodium valproate-induced liver injury, possibly through mitigating oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and inflammatory mediator expression.

Keywords

Black radish / Raphanus sativus / Sodium valproate / Hepatotoxicity / Oxidative stress / Anti-inflammation

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This study was supported by a research grant (No. 6211) from Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Authors’ contributions

MHZ monitored and supervised the project, developed the project conceptualization, and obtained ethical approval. MHZ and SA reviewed the draft manuscript. MZ conducted the experimental work. MHZ, ES and SK were responsible for experimental design, and protocol preparation. ZL revised manuscript. HAK analyzed the data, and provided research facilities and resources. EB prepared the draft manuscript.

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