title: Protective effect of Asteracantha longifolia extract in mouse liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride and paracetamol.
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of Asteracantha longifolia Linn (Acanthaceae) plant extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and paracetamol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the administration of a single intraperitoneal dose of CCl4 (0.5 mL kg(-1) CCl4 in olive oil) in one model and in the other by administration of paracetamol (300 mg kg(-1) in saline) orally, after a 16-h fast. An aqueous extract of the whole plant (0.9 g kg(-1)) was used on a pre- and post-treatment basis. Asteracantha reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level by 69.32% (P < 0.001) and increased the liver reduced glutathione level by 64.65% (P < 0.001) in the pre-treated group, 4 days after the administration of CCl4. A similar pattern was observed in the pre-treated group 4 h after the administration of paracetamol with a reduction in serum levels of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes by 65.04, 55.79 and 45.75% respectively (P < 0.001). Plant extract also increased the glutathione concentration of the liver significantly (P < 0.001). Histopathological studies also provided supportive evidence for results from the biochemical analysis with marked improvement in liver architecture being observed in the Asteracantha-treated groups. Pre-treatment showed better results than post-treatment in both hepatotoxic models. Overall results indicate that the aqueous extract of Asteracantha longifolia possesses hepatoprotective effects on CCl4- and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Hewawasam
authors: K A P W
authors: KA
authors: Jayatilaka
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pathirana
authors: L K B
authors: LK
authors: Mudduwa
mesh_terms: D027901:Acanthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione