title: Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents.
abstract: Berberis aristata is an edible plant employed in the South Asian Traditional Medicine, particularly its fruits being used as a tonic remedy for liver and heart. In this investigation, berberine, a known compound from this plant, was studied for its possible antihepatotoxic action in rats. Pretreatment of animals with berberine (4 mg/kg; orally twice daily for 2 days) prevented the acetaminophen- or CCl4-induced rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransaminases (AST and ALT), suggestive of hepatoprotection. Post-treatment with three successive oral doses of berberine (4 mg/kg every 6 h) reduced the hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen, while CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was not modified, suggesting a selective curative effect against acetaminophen. Pretreatment of animals with a single oral dose of berberine (4 mg/kg) induced prolongation of the pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced sleeping time as well as increased strychnine (0.3 mg/kg; i.p.)-induced toxicity, suggestive of inhibitory effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450s (CYPs).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Janbaz
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013331:Strychnine / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D001599:Berberine; D000082:Acetaminophen; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D013331:Strychnine; D010424:Pentobarbital