Phytochemical investigation and hepatoprotective activity of Cupressus sempervirens L. leaves growing in Egypt

Nat Prod Res. 2007 Aug;21(10):857-66. doi: 10.1080/14786410601132477.

Abstract

Three phenolic compounds cosmosiin, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid were isolated for the first time from the leaves of Cupressus sempervirens L., together with cupressuflavone, amentoflavone, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, myricitrin. The isolated compounds were identified using (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra. The hepatoprotective activity of the MeOH extract was carried out in liver homogenate of normal and CCl(4)-treated rats; a significant decrease in glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, cholesterol level, and triglycerides, while a significant increase in the total protein level, was observed after the oral administration of MeOH extract. The free radical scavenging activity against stable 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) was measured for MeOH extract and some of the isolated phenolic compounds in comparison with alpha-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene as standard antioxidants using ESR technique, showed high antioxidant activity for quercetin, rutin, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control
  • Cupressus*
  • Female
  • Free Radical Scavengers / administration & dosage
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemistry
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Leaves
  • Protective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Protective Agents / chemistry
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Rats

Substances

  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl