Hepatoprotective effects of Bupleurum exalatum extracts against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

Background & aim: Some of natural and synthetic products have antioxidant properties which protect the liver against the destructive factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Bupleurum exelatum (B. exalatum) extracts on rat liver. Material and method: This experimental study was conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2013 on 50 healthy adult male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into five equal groups: the normal group (receiving, olive oil), control and experiment groups receiving different dose of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil. The experiment group was given daily doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg per Kg of B. exalatum extract by gavage respectively. After two months, the liver enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin in animal’s sera were measured. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software, using ANOVA and tuky-test. Result: The toxicant significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TB, DB, and decrease the level of TP and ALB. Oral administration of B. exalatum extracts showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in all the elevated serum and significant increase (P < 0.05) in TP and ALB levels at all usage doses. These results indicate the maximum recovery was observed in 300 mg/kg/day. The histopathological changes i.e. fatty changes, necrosis etc were partly or fully prevented in animals treated with the extracts. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the extract of B. exalatum possessed hepatoprotective activity, which could be linked to their phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity this therefore requires further in-depth studies.

Keywords

• Bupleurum exalatum
• Hepatoprotective
• Carbon tetrachloride
• Antioxidant