Hepatoprotective and anti-dysbiotic effects of bioflavonoid preparations in an experimental study

Abstract

Research objective: To investigate and demonstrate the hepatoprotective and anti-dysbiotic effects of bioflavonoid preparations—using the phytopreparation Quertulin as an example—during experimental anti-Helicobacter therapy in Wistar rats.

Research materials and methods: The study involved 30 Wistar rats (males, 4–5 months old, mean body weight 220 g), which were divided into 3 equal groups: Group 1 (control/normal) received a complete balanced feed, while Groups 2 and 3 (experimental groups) received a mixture of the following agents used in anti-Helicobacter therapy: omeprazole (Farmak, Kyiv) at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg, Amoxil ("Kyivmedpreparat", Kyiv) at a dose of 50 mg/kg and clarithromycin ("Kyivmedpreparat") at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg for 8 days. From the first day of the study, rats in the 3rd group received applications of the phytopreparation Quertulin (manufactured by RPA "Odesa Biotechnology," Odesa) to the oral mucosa, at a dose of 0.5 ml per rat, for 11 days.

Euthanasia of the experimental animals was performed on the 12th day of the study under thiopental anesthesia (20 mg/kg) via total exsanguination from the heart.Research results: The number of leukocytes and the percentages of neutrophils and lymphocytes were determined in the blood of the experimental rats, and an immunodeficiency index was calculated based on the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio. In the blood serum, the levels of "liver" markers—such as alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase—and markers of inflammation—specifically malondialdehyde content and elastase activity—were determined, as well as the activity of two protective enzymes: lysozyme (an indicator of non-specific immunity) and catalase (an antioxidant enzyme). In the liver homogenate (50 mg/ml 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer pH 7.5) the content of malondialdehyde, the activity of enzymes: elastase, alkaline phosphatase, catalase, lysozyme and urease (indicator of microbial contamination) was determined). The antioxidant-prooxidant index was calculated based on the ratio of catalase activity to malondialdehyde content, while the degree of dysbiosis—according to Levitsky—was determined based on the ratio of the relative activities of urease and lysozyme.Statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed in accordance with recommendations and presented as the mean value (M) and the standard error of the mean (± m).Conclusions: Application of the phytopreparation Quertulin to the oral mucosa of experimental animals leads to a significant reduction in dysbiotic manifestations and exerts a hepatoprotective effect. This can be attributed to the antioxidant properties of Quertulin and the anti-dysbiotic action of inulin—a component of the phytopreparation—reflecting their impact on both primary pathogenetic mechanisms.