Effects of citrus flavonoids on redox homeostasis of toxin-injured liver in rat

In order to evaluate the effect of diosmin-hesperidin containing drug on redox balance and Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations of toxin-injured liver, Wistar albino rats were subjected to thioacetamide administration (500 mg TAA/l in their drinking water) with and without drug (425 mg/kg body weight/day). Animals were treated for 30 days. No significant change in the concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in the liver was measured in TAA-treated animals compared to control. Diosmin-hesperidin mixture treatment increased levels of Fe and Zn and decreased concentration of Cu of the liver in TAA-treated animals. These alterations were not significant. Decrease of both the total scavenger capacity (TSC) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver homogenates were observed in TAA-treated rats. The diosmin-hesperidin-supplemented diet also significantly decreased the TSC and activity of SOD in liver of both the control and toxin-treated animals. On the basis of results it seems that high dosage of the diosmin-hesperidin mixture induces slight changes in the Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe content of the liver, however it may decrease the scavenger capacity and the activity of SOD when applied either alone or together with thioacetamide.