Ameliorative Action of Mn-Salen Derivatives on CCl<sub>4</sub>-Induced Destructive Effects and Lipofuscin-Like Pigment Formation in Rats’ Liver and Brain: Post-Treatment of Young Rats with EUKs

Lipofuscin-like pigments (LFPs) are highly oxidized cross-linked aggregates of oxidized protein and lipids which are formed under oxidative state conditions by free radicals produced. The present study aimed to evaluate the probable ameliorative effects of some of the Mn-salens namely EUKs 8, 134, 15, 115, 122 and 132 (compounds 1-6) and vitamin C against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute damage on rats’ livers and brains. Exposure to CCl4 is believed to induce oxidative stress and cause tissue damage due to the formation of trichloromethyl (·CCl3) and peroxy trichloromethyl (·OOCCl3) radicals. In this study, 54 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups of six each: normal group received only vehicle (olive oil; 2 ml/kg b.w.) for 6 consecutive days; CCl4- intoxicated group received the vehicle and CCl4 (50% solution of CCl4 in olive oil, 2 ml/kg b.w.) on the first and second days and the vehicle on the third to sixth days; test rats received Mn-salens or vitamin C (20 mg/kg b.w.) and CCl4 (2 ml/kg b.w.) on the first and second days and Mn-salens or vitamin C (20 mg/kg b.w.) on the third to sixth days. Mn-salens administration ameliorated the effects of CCl4 by decreasing the levels of ROS, lipid and protein oxidations and LFPs formation on liver and brain as well as cholesterol and triglycerides, aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase contents in sera of rats whereas increased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase,glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione in liver and brain tissues. Histopathological studies confirmed the toxic effects of CCl4 and ameliorative action of Mn-salens on tissues. These results suggest that the evaluated EUKs were able to attenuate LFPs accumulation and morphological changes caused by CCl4 in rats and thus, confirming the ameliorative role of Mn-salens against CCl4-induced oxidative damage and age-related diseases.