Inclusive Roles of Protocetraric Acid, a Secondary Metabolite from the Common Green Shield Lichen Flavoparmelia caperata in Alcohol-induced Hepatic Injury

Abstract

Flavoparmelia caperata belongs to the family Parmeliaceae which is a huge family of lichens
and comprises of species that draw much attention about pharmacological activities. Several medicinally
important compounds have been reported in this lichen. Protocetraric acid is among the major metabolites
possessed by this lichen. Hence, the present study is designed to look into the more inclusive role of protocetraric acid in case of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six
groups: Group 1 served as the control group, Group 2 received ethanol, Group 3 received F. caperata ethanolic extract (FCE) 50 mg/kg, Group 4 received FCE 100 mg/kg, Group 5 received FCE 200 mg/kg and Group
6 received Liv.52 (Standard drug). At the end of the experiment, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress
markers, inflammatory mediators, caspase-3 and 8 activities were studied. The liver tissues were further
examined histopathologically for localization of areas of severe hepatotoxicity. Cell viability was determined
by using the MTT assay in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. Moreover, FCE increased cell viability. Protocetraric
acid, erythritol, and myo-inositol were detected in GC-MS analysis. The outcomes of this study reveal that
FCE may prove to be supportive in the treatment of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Results of different markers have revealed that among all, FCE (100 mg/kg) has demonstrated the best
hepatoprotective activity. It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by alcohol. These observations speak about the significance of the components of the lichen extract. The corrective action of FCE in
alcohol-induced liver damage may be due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.