Protective effect of carnosol on CCl(4)-induced acute liver damage in rats.
BACKGROUND
We recently reported that (Lamiaceae) may alleviate CCl(4)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats, possibly blocking the formation of free radicals generated during CCl(4) metabolism. Carnosol, one of the main constituents of Rosmarinus, has been shown to have antioxidant and scavenging activities. Therefore, it is plausible to expect that carnosol may mediate some of the effects of Rosmarinus on oxidative stress consequences induced by CCl(4) in the liver.


METHODS
We evaluated the effectiveness of carnosol to normalize biochemical and histological parameters of CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury.


METHODS
Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 5) injured by CCl(4) (oral dose 4 g/kg of body weight) were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose (5 mg/kg) of carnosol. Twenty-four hours later, the rats were anaesthetized deeply to obtain the liver and blood, and biochemical and histological parameters of liver injury were evaluated.


RESULTS
Carnosol normalized bilirubin plasma levels, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver by 69%, reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in plasma by 50%, and partially prevented the fall of liver glycogen content and distortion of the liver parenchyma.


CONCLUSIONS
Carnosol prevents acute liver damage, possibly by improving the structural integrity of the hepatocytes. To achieve this, carnosol could scavenge free radicals induced by CCl(4), consequently avoiding the propagation of lipid peroxides. It is suggested that at least some of the beneficial properties of Rosmarinus officinalis are due to carnosol.
D045784:Abietanes; D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D045784:Abietanes; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C068623:carnosol; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride