Protective effects of the ethanolic extract from the Benjakul remedy against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Abstract

Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to liver damage from xenobiotics, leading to chronic diseases. The ethanolic extract of the Benjakul remedy (BJE), a traditional Thai medicine, is recognized for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, though scientific validation is limited. This study assessed BJE's antioxidant effects against various radicals using chemical and cellular assays, evaluated its anti-inflammatory effects by measuring inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels, and determined protective effects by evaluating cell viability and oxidative damage. Total phenolic content was measured colorimetrically, and compounds were identified using liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. BJE significantly scavenged synthetic radicals, nitric oxide radicals, and lipid radicals, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 28.76 to 113.46 μg/mL, and diminished ferrous ions with an IC₅₀ value of 1.48 ± 0.09 mg/mL. Furthermore, BJE potently neutralized superoxide anions and nitric oxide radicals within cells, yielding IC₅₀ values of 44.43 ± 6.79 and 15.89 ± 0.93 μg/mL, respectively. BJE reduced iNOS expression by 90% and COX-2 by 60% in a dose-dependent manner. BJE protected liver BNL CL.2 cells from oxidative stress and inflammation induced by pyrogallol, improving cell viability, decreasing oxidative damage, and restoring critical antioxidant enzyme activities. BJE contained 6-gingerol, alkaloid amides, and nonalkaloid amides. This study marks the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of BJE at the molecular levels.