Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Lepidium Sativum L. on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Background: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl۴) as an organic solvent causes symptoms of acute and chronic liver injury, including necrosis, fat changes, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Lepidium sativum contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and antioxidant components. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the hepatic protection of L. Sativum Extract (LSE) on CCl۴-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Methods: A total of ۲۵ male mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=۵): control (olive oil), CCl۴, and ۳ LSE groups. Except for the control group, all the mice received CCl۴ (۵۰%, ۰.۵ mL/kg) intraperitoneally twice a week for ۴ weeks. The mice in the LSE groups were treated daily with LSE (۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, and ۶۰۰ mg/kg) via IP injection. The animals were sacrificed ۲۴ h after the last dose, and liver function parameters, such as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Glutathione (GSH) were determined. Furthermore, ۰.۱ g of liver tissue was removed for histochemical analysis. Results: Significant differences were observed in GSH, ALP, AST, and ALT levels between the CCI۴ and the control groups. Compared to the CCl۴ group, LSE treatment significantly decreased plasma ALT (P<۰.۰۵), AST in all doses (P<۰.۰۰۱), and ALP in ۶۰۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۰۱). In addition, LSE treatment significantly increased GSH in ۴۰۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۱) and ۶۰۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: LSE has hepatic protective activity against CCl۴-induced injuries. The possible anti-hepatotoxic mechanisms may be related to the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, tannin, and coumarins in the LSE by inhibiting the free radicals mediated damage.

Keywords:

Alanine transaminase , Alkaline phosphatase , Aspartate aminotransferases , Glutathione , Toxic hepatitis