Potential antioxidant effects of Narcissus tazetta phenolic compounds against cadmium chloride induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

Abstract Narcissus tazetta (Amaryllidaceae) is a medicinal plant, widely used for cut flowers and potted ornamental plant in Tunisia flora. The current study evaluated the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of its flower extracts and investigated its potential protective activity against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Adult Swiss mice were exposed either to CdCl2 (0.16 mg/kg bw) or to Narcissus tazetta extract (100 or mg/kg bw) or to their combination. Cadmium chloride and Narcissus tazetta flower extracts were given by intraperitoneal injection and gavage respectively for eight consecutive days. Results indicated that ethanolic flower extracts contained high levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents along with a strong total antioxidant and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activities. High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis identified eight phenolic compounds, including rutin, Kaempferol glycosides and chlorogenic acids. The extract also exhibited marked hepato-protective effects against CdCl2 toxicity by reducing hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, hydrogen peroxide, metallothioneins and DNA degradation. Additionally, co-administration of Narcissus tazetta flower extracts lowered the plasma activities of transaminases, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase, and increased hepatic levels of reduced glutathione, non-protein thiols, vitamin C, and catalase activity. The hepatoprotective effects of the extract were demonstrated by histopathological improvement of liver disorders. The current study provided ethnopharmacological application of Narcissus tazetta flower extracts against CdCl2 induced oxidative stress, suggesting its chemoprevention role of its phenolic compounds as a natural antioxidant.