Effect of abhrak bhasma and silicon dioxide on hepatic and renal glutathione status in rats: hepatoprotection testing against single dose carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity

摘要

Background: Glutathione (GSH) is an important intracellular antioxidant. Intrahepatic GSH levels are depleted in liver diseases. Objectives: In present study, effect of abhrak bhasma (an Ayurvedic drug) and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) on hepatic and renal GSH status against CCl 4 intoxicated male albino rats were investigated. Methods: Single dose of CCl 4 (3.0ml/kg body wt, sc) was used to induce hepatotoxicity. Graded doses (10, 20, 30 and 40mg/ kg body wt) of abhrak bhasma and SiO 2 were concurrently given with CCl 4 . Hepatic and renal GSH content was studied after 24 hrs. Results: Results showed that rats exposed to CCl 4 exhibited decreased GSH in liver. It was counteracted and maintained to normal levels by the treatment of abhrak bhasma (minimum protective dose-10mg). SiO 2 treatments did not affect GSH activity in liver significantly. Single dose of CCl 4 had not influenced GSH content in kidney alone or with any of the doses of abhrak bhasma or SiO 2 . Conclusion: CCl 4 single dose depletes GSH content significantly in liver but not in kidney. These results suggest that single dose treatment of abhrak bhasma (10mg onwards) protects GSH content and thus manages CCl 4 induced free radical generation scavenging them. Keywords : Abhrak Bhasma, Antioxidant, Glutathione, Hepatotoxicity, Silicon Dioxide.