Abstract
The present study is aimed to investigate the antioxidative potential and ameliorative effects of
Lens culinaris
Medikus sprouts hydroalcoholic extract (LSHE) on CCl
4
-induced oxidative stress in rats. The research has been carried out in two successive stages. Firstly, the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity of
L. culinaris
sprouts were assessed at 20 ± 1°C and 90–93% RH during sprouting. Total phenolic content (TPC), total carotenoids (TC), total flavonoids (TF), total flavonols (TFL), DPPH-RSA, and vitamin C contents of
L. culinaris
seeds and 6-days sprouts were determined. Subsequently, phenolics by HPLC analysis of
L. culinaris
seeds, 3rd and 6th-day sprouts were identified and quantified. Results indicated that 6th-day sprouts contained considerable phenolics with superior antioxidant capacity, thus selected to be examined for biological activity in a rat's module consisting of five groups. G1, normal rats orally received distilled water. G2 received 1.0 mL kg
−1
of CCl
4
and olive oil (1:1) intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a week. G3 received CCl
4
(i.p.) and 50 mg GAE kg
−1
of LSHE daily/orally. G4 received CCl
4
(i.p.) 100 mg kg
−1
of LSHE orally/daily. G5 (reference group) treated by intramuscular injection (i.m.) of vit. E+Selenium (Vit. E+Se, 50 mg kg
−1
twice a week). The weight gain, relative weight of organs, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficiencies, liver's and kidneys' functions, and antioxidant biomarkers were examined. LSHE enhanced the weight gain recovery % and significantly reduced fasting blood glucose. The hypolipidemic effect of LSHE was dramatically reduced triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHO), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL-c and LDL-c), and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-c). Administration of 50 and 100 LSHE mg kg
−1
ameliorated liver and kidney function in dose-dependent manure. Intriguingly, LSHE considerably reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) while significantly raising reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, biochemical examinations confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of LSHE as a functional product. It encouraged us to recommend
L. culinaris
sprout production for attenuating hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, as well as being beneficial and profitable for controlling oxidative stress complications.