Investigation of possible protective effects of some plant extracts on brain in bile duct ligated rats

Objective : It is aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of bitter melon (BM), chard and parsley extracts on oxidative damage that may occur in brain of rats with bile duct ligation (BDL) induced biliary cirrhosis Materials and Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: Control, sham operated + BM, BDL, BDL + BM, BDL + chard and BDL + parsley. At the end of the 28 days, all animals were decapitated, blood samples and brains were taken. The changes in biochemical parameters were examined. Results: Aspartate and alanine transaminases, direct and total bilirubin values in blood samples increased significantly in the BDL group compared to the control group. The other values except total bilirubin were significantly decreased in groups with BDL given BM and parsley extracts compared to the BDL. In the brain tissue it was observed that lipidperoxidation (LPO), sialic acid (SA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels increased, glutatyon (GSH) levels catalase (CAT) and tissue factor (TF) activities decreased significantly in the BDL group. However, in groups with BDL given BM, chard and parsley extracts LPO, SA, NO levels decreased, GSH and CAT activities increased significantly. No significant differences were determined between groups in total protein, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxidedismutase, boron, total oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Histological findings were supported by the biochemical results. Conclusion: BM, chard and parsley extracts were effective in the regression of oxidant damage caused by cirrhosis in the brain tissues. These plant extracts may be an alternative in the development of different treatment approaches against brain damage in cirrhosis. Key words: Bitter melon, chard, parsley, brain, bile duct ligation