Investigation of protective effect of Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) against oxidative stress and the liver tissue injury induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[A]anthracene

Objective: Nrf2 plays a critical role in regulating cellular defense against oxidative stress by activating the expression of a sequence of genes linked to a number of antioxidant response elements. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the protective effect of the watercress (Nasturtium officinale) via Nrf2 against 7,12-DMBA-induced liver damage and oxidative stress. Material and Method: In this study, 27 Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups (9 rats in per group): Group I was untreated and served as 'control'. Rats in group II were injected intraperitoneally each with a single dose of 20 mg/kg body-weight of 7,12-DMBA. Rats in Group III were treated 62.5 mg / ml / day of watercress by i.g. gavage for 4 weeks and were injected i.p. 7,12-DMBA. Serum ALT, histopathological analysis, SOD, CAT, GPx, NQO1, and GST enzyme activities, MDA, Nrf2 transcription factor were determined and PEITC amount on the watercress were analyzed by HPLC. Results: In the 7,12-DMBA treated group, MDA and ALT increased (p <0,05), NQO1, GST, SOD, CAT, GPx enzyme activities as well as Nrf2 levels decreased (p <0.05). The level of these biochemical markers was found to be ameliorated by watercress (p <0.05). At the same time, the histopathological results supported that the watercress protects against 7,12-DMBA-mediated liver damage (p <0,001). Conclusion: The data obtained from our study showed that the Cruciferae family has reduced oxidative stress induced by 7,12-DMBA and improved liver damage. In addition, we propose that the watercress may be a potential chemopreventive agent. Key words: Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), 7,12-DMBA, Phase II enzymes, Nrf2, Hepatoprotective effect.