article · BioMed Research International
Exposure to aluminium via industrial and agricultural activities can cause hazardous health impacts through oxidative stress. This research investigated the hepatoprotective effects of bromelain, an affordable extract derived from pineapple stem waste, against aluminium chloride toxicity in rats. Administering aluminium chloride reduced body and liver weights, increased aluminium levels in blood and liver tissues, elevated oxidative stress markers, and reduced essential antioxidant defences. It also triggered inflammation, altered liver enzyme activities, and caused histopathological damage in liver tissue. Treatment with bromelain prior to aluminium exposure effectively reduced lipid peroxidation, restored both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, normalised biochemical indicators, and preserved liver tissue architecture. Overall, the findings demonstrate that bromelain provides substantial protection against aluminium-induced liver injury primarily through its antioxidant capacity.
Widespread industrial and agricultural use of aluminium increases environmental exposure risks, which can damage vital organs through oxidative stress. Identifying low-cost, natural compounds capable of mitigating this damage is vital for public health. Using bromelain, an extract sourced from pineapple agricultural waste, highlights a potential sustainable approach to addressing toxic metal exposure using bio-waste derivatives.
This work points towards applications in therapeutic formulations or dietary supplements designed to counter metal toxicity. Potential users include pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developers seeking affordable active ingredients derived from agricultural by-products. However, because the evidence is restricted to an in vivo animal model, the technology remains at an early stage of laboratory research, requiring clinical validation before real-world commercial deployment.
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Aluminum (Al) is an important factor in the environment as it is used in agriculture and several industries leading to hazardous effects via oxidative stress. Bromelain is a cheap extract from the byproduct waste of <i>Ananas comosus</i> stem. It has been used in several biological and therapeutic applications. So, this study was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective potential of bromelain versus oxidative stress induced by aluminum chloride in rats. Results revealed that administration of AlCl<sub>3</sub> reduced the body and liver weights and increased Al concentration in the blood and liver tissue. Also, AlCl<sub>3</sub> caused valuable changes in hematological parameters and increased TBARS and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentrations in rat liver. Enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GST) and nonenzymatic (GSH) antioxidants and protein content were significantly decreased. Furthermore, alterations in liver biomarkers such as bilirubin level and enzyme activities in both serum and liver homogenate (LDH, ALP, AST, and ALT) were detected. AlCl<sub>3</sub> also caused inflammation as indicated by upregulation of the inflammation-related genes [interleukin 1 beta (IL-1<i>β</i>)], tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-<i>α</i>), as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9), and downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) expression. In addition, histopathological examination showed significant variations in the liver that confirms the biochemical results. Otherwise, bromelain intake alone slumped lipid peroxidation and gotten better antioxidant status significantly. Moreover, supplementation with bromelain before AlCl<sub>3</sub> intoxication restores enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants as well as biochemical indices and tissue architecture with respect to the AlCl<sub>3</sub> group. In conclusion, bromelain proved its remarkable protective power to abolish AlCl<sub>3</sub> toxicity. So, it might represent a new strategy in the therapy of metal toxicity by its antioxidant capacity.
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DOI: 10.1155/2022/5342559
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