Abstract
Lupeol, a triterpene present in mango and other fruits, is known to exhibit a number of pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antilithiatic, and antidiabetic effects. In the present study, chemopreventive properties of lupeol and mango pulp extract (MPE) were evaluated against 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced alteration in liver of Swiss albino mice. Lupeol (25 mg/kg body weight, bw) or 1 mL of 20% w/v aqueous MPE/mouse were daily given once for 1 wk after a single dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg bw). Lupeol/MPE supplementation effectively influenced the DMBA induced oxidative stress, characterized by restored antioxidant enzyme activities and decrease in lipid peroxidation. A reduction of apoptotic cell population in the hypodiploid region was observed in lupeol and MPE supplemented animals. The inhibition of apoptosis was preceded by decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and restoration of mitochondrial transmembrane potential followed by decreased DNA fragmentation. In DMBA treated animals, downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 and upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and Caspase 3 in mouse liver was observed. These alterations were restored by lupeol/MPE, indicating inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, lupeol/MPE was found to be effective in combating oxidative stress induced cellular injury of mouse liver by modulating cell‐growth regulators.