Protective effect of Berberis aristata against ethanol-induced mitochondrial damage in rats

Chronic ethanol feeding to normal rats (10 g/kg body weight) produces changes in the rate of respiration, P/O ratio, and respiratory control ratio (RCR), when either glutamate and malate or succinate was used as substrate. The activities of NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase were significantly decreased by ethanol administration compared with the control levels. Succinate dehydrogenase was not affected by ethanol. Similar findings were obtained with intact mitochondria or submitochondrial particles. No significant difference was observed in membrane potential of submitochondrial particles. In addition, cytochrome b, c, and aa(3) content of mitochondria was significantly decreased by ethanol feeding. Administration of Berberis aristata (2 ml extract/100 g body weight) along with ethanol provided a significant protection against most of the alterations in mitochondria induced by ethanol. Ethanol-induced inhibition was almost relieved with respect to the rate of respiration, P/O ratio, RCR and NADH dehydrogenase by the administration of Berberis aristata extract. Inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase was relieved to some extent (38% inhibition was observed compared with ethanol alone (59%)). The decrease in amounts of cytochromes could not be relieved completely by Berberis aristata, but there was a significant increase in their levels compared with those of the ethanol-administered group.