Studies: HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CHIOS MASTIC

 

Chios Mastic has been considered to exert hepatoprotective effects since antiquity. Lately, in some studies, there are indications that support this claim.

Studies: HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CHIOS MASTIC

Study 1

Katsanou et al (2014) investigated the modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes in the liver of male rats, following oral ingestion of Chios Mastic extract, at the levels of mRNA and CYP1A1 enzyme activity, which was associated with respective enzyme modulation following oral administration of caffeine (control) involving hepatic enzymes in its metabolism. The outcome showed that the administration of Chios Mastic extract at the recommended dose does not cause remarkable transcriptional modulation of Cyp1α1/2 and subsequent enzyme activity induction of CYP1A1, while effects of the same order of magnitude were observed in the same test system following the administration of caffeine at the mean daily consumed levels. 53

Study 2

In 2015, Saad Ur Rehman et al used alloxan-treated diabetic rats to explore the anti-diabetic activity of crude Chios Mastic  It is worth mentioning that, important improvements were observed in liver function in rats that ingested Chios Mastic  in comparison with the alloxan-treated ones. Conclusively, Chios Mastic shows hepatoprotective activity and improves the liver micro-environment. 54

Study 3

Tzani et al (2016), investigated the role of Chios Mastic in metabolic profile and liver histology in an animal model of NAFLD. Administration of Chios Mastic at a dose of 20mg/Kg of body weight per day for 4 weeks resulted in lower glucose, triglycerideand interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and on the same time, hepatic steatosis was partially reversed. 55

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53. Katsanou E.S., Kyriakopoulou K., Emmanouil C., Fokialakis N., Skaltsounis A.L., Machera K. [2014]: Modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 hepatic enzymes after oral administration of Chios mastic gum to male Wistar rats. PLoS One., 9 (6): e100190.

54. Saad Ur Rehman M., Hafeez Kamran S., Ahmad M., Akhtar U. [2015]: Anti-diabetic activity of crude Pistacia lentiscus in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Bangladesh J of Pharm, 10 (3):543-547.

55. Tzani A, Georgiadis, I, Korou LM, Konstantopoulos P, Agrogiannis G, Vlachos I, Doulamis I, Katsilambros N, Perrea D. (2016). Investigation of chios mastic gum effect on metabolic profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Atherosclerosis.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Chios Mastic – Summary

Chios Mastic has shown potential hepatoprotective effects, confirmed by several animal studies:

  • Study 1 (Katsanou et al., 2014): Oral administration of Chios Mastic extract in male rats did not cause harmful enzyme modulation, unlike caffeine. Liver enzyme activity remained stable, showing safety at recommended doses.
  • Study 2 (Saad Ur Rehman et al., 2015): In alloxan-treated diabetic rats, Chios Mastic improved liver function and the liver micro-environment compared to untreated rats, demonstrating protective effects.
  • Study 3 (Tzani et al., 2016): In an NAFLD animal model, 20 mg/kg/day of Chios Mastic for 4 weeks reduced glucose, triglycerides, IL-6 levels, and partially reversed hepatic steatosis.

Overall: Chios Mastic appears to support liver health, improve liver function, and protect against metabolic liver damage. Its hepatoprotective effect is safe at recommended doses and shows promise in supporting liver micro-environment and metabolic profile.

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