Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus (Kasni) seed extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats

摘要

Purpose: To assess the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous-methanol extract of Cichorium intybus seeds (C. intybus) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver toxicity in albino Wistar rats. Method: The seed extract of C. intybus was prepared in aqueous methanol (20:80) via Soxhlet solvent extraction process. CCl 4 (0.8 mL/kg) was administered to induce hepatic damage in Wistar rats. The seed extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg doses) and a 25 mg/kg dose of silymarin (as standard drug) were administered orally to separate groups of albino Wistar rats for 14 days. Blood samples from the rats were analyzed for biochemical markers for hepatic injury. The tissue samples of the rats were subjected to histopathological studies as well as analyzed for liver antioxidants. Results: The results for biochemical markers revealed that the rats treated with the extract (500 mg/kg dose) showed a maximum elevation of catalase (48.90 μmole of H 2 O 2 consumed/min/mg protein), glutothione peroxidase (22.1 mg GSH consumed/min/mg protein), superoxide dismutase (14.2 units/min/mg protein), and a reduction in glutathione (18.1 μmole of GSH/mg protein). Serum biochemical parameters including serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphate (ALKP), and direct bilirubin were significantly (p 0.01) increased in the treated groups. Oral administration of different doses of C. intybus seed extract significantly (p 0.01) protected the hepatic cells from impairment. The biochemical markers and hematological parameters were also normal in extract-treated rats in contrast to the standard (silymarin) and control groups. Conclusion: The results show that C. intybus plant is potential a good natural source of natural hepatoprotective and antioxidants agents.