Protective effect of oat (Avena sativa) bran extracts on acute hepatic liver damage in mice

Abstract

Oat (Avena sativa) bran, a by-product during oat grain processing, is a excellent source of fibre, vitamins and phytochemicals. The health benefits of dietary fibre have long been established. In the present study, the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of oat bran extracts were investigated. The extracts showed strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), hydroxyl, superoxide radicals scavenging and reducing power activities in vitro. In addition, the extracts (50 mg/kg mouse) significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and hepatic damage marker enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase), proinflammatory cytokines as well as elevated SOD, CAT, and GPx enzymes expressions in LPS-treated (1 mg/kg body weight) BALB/c mice. Therefore, the present study strongly suggests that both oat bran extracts could be excellent raw materials for manufacturing functional food due to its protective effect on hepatic liver damage and excellent antioxidant activity.