Experimental liver protection of n-butanolic extract of Astragalus monspessulanus L. on carbon tetrachloride model of toxicity in rat

摘要

ObjectiveTo investigate the hepatoprotective potential of n -butanolic extract of Astragalus monspessulanus L. (EAM) against in-vitro/in-vivo carbon tetrachloride (CCl_(4))-induced liver damage in rats. Silymarin was used as a positive control.Methods and resultsThe in-vitro experiments were carried out in primary isolated rat hepatocytes first incubated with CCl_(4) (86 μmol/l). Hepatic injury was discerned by a decrease in cell viability and cell glutathione (GSH) levels, an increase in lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the medium, and an elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) quantity. Cell pre-incubation with EAM (1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml) significantly ameliorated the CCl_(4)-induced liver damage. In-vivo rats were challenged orally with CCl_(4) (10% solution in olive oil) alone and after 7 days pre-treatment with EAM (100 mg/kg body weight per day, oral gavage). CCl_(4) damage was judged by an increased production of MDA, depletion of cell GSH, and a decrease in cell antioxidant defense system. EAM pre-treatment normalizes the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the levels of GSH and MDA. These data are supported by the histopathological examination.ConclusionThese results indicate that EAM has a similar significant protective effect, in vitro and in vivo , against CCl_(4) induced hepatotoxicity in rat as silymarin.This may be due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties.