Evaluation of the antihepatotoxic activity of the biflavonoids of Garcinia kola seed.
Seeds of Garcinia kola enjoy a folk reputation in Africa as a poison antidote. Their antihepatotoxic properties have been evaluated using four experimental toxins, namely carbon tetrachloride, galactosamine, alpha-amanitin and phalloidin. Kolaviron, a fraction of the defatted ethanol extract, and two biflavones of Garcinia kola seeds (GB1 and GB2) significantly modified the action of all these hepatotoxins. At 100 mg/kg orally, the test substances reduced thiopental-induced sleep in CCl4-poisoned rats. The microsomal enzyme levels in the serum of mice poisoned with phalloidin were significantly protected by treatment with Garcinia extractives. The probable mechanism of the antihepatotoxic action is briefly discussed.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
M M
MM
Iwu
O A
OA
Igboko
U A
UA
Onwuchekwa
C O
CO
Okunji
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D044946:Biflavonoids; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D044946:Biflavonoids; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C055015:Garcinia biflavonoid 1; C055016:Garcinia biflavonoid 2; C045492:kolaviron