Phytochemical, antioxidant and protective effect of cactus cladodes extract against lithium-induced liver injury in rats

Context: Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Castaceae) (cactus) is used in Tunisian medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Objective: This study determines phytochemical composition of cactus cladode extract (CCE). It also investigates antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of CCE against lithium carbonate (Li(2)CO(3))-induced liver injury in rats. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided into four groups of six each: a control group given distilled water (0.5 mL/100 g b.w.; i.p.), a group injected with Li(2)CO(3) (25 mg/kg b.w.; i.p.; corresponding to 30% of the LD(50)) twice daily for 30 days, a group receiving only CCE at 100 mg/kg of b.w. for 60 days and then injected with distilled water during the last 30 days of CCE treatment, and a group receiving CCE and then injected with Li(2)CO(3) during the last 30 days of CCE treatment. The bioactive components containing the CCE were identified using chemical assays. Results: Treatment with Li(2)CO(3) caused a significant change of some haematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and mean corpuscular volume (VCM) compared to the control group. Moreover, significant increases in the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were observed in the blood of Li(2)CO(3)-treated rats. Furthermore, exposure to Li(2)CO(3) significantly increased the LPO level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the hepatic tissues. Conclusion: CCE possesses a significant hepatoprotective effect.