Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract attenuates mercuric chloride-induced liver injury in male rats via inhibition of oxidative damage.

Heavy metal contamination including mercury (Hg) has become one of the most serious environmental problems facing humans and other living organisms. Here, the hepatoprotective effects of Z. spina-christi leaf extract (ZCE) against inorganic mercury salt (mercuric chloride; HgCl)-induced hepatotoxicity model was investigated in rats. Mercury concentration, liver function markers, oxidative stress markers, inflammation, cell death indicators, and histopathology were assessed. ZCE protected against HgCl-induced hepatotoxicity, decreased Hg concentration, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide, increased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione recycling enzymes (peroxidase and reductase), and upregulated nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene expression in HgCl-intoxicated rat hepatic tissue. Nrf2 downstream gene and heme oxygenase-1 were also upregulated, confirming that hepatoprotection by ZCE against HgCl-induced liver damage involved activation of the Nrf2/antioxidant response element pathway. ZCE also decreased the expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptotic proteins and increased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissues of HgCl-treated rats confirmed the alternations of apoptotic-related protein expression. Our data demonstrated that post-administration of ZCE attenuated HgCl-induced liver damage by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Therefore, administering this extract may be a novel therapeutic strategy for inorganic mercury intoxication.