Aquilegia vulgaris extract attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
Six groups of male Wistar rats were treated as follows: in groups II, III and V liver damage was induced by CCl(4) (per os, 1590 mg/kg b.w.day) given 2 days a week for 6 weeks; group III was treated simultaneously with ethanol extract of Aquilegia vulgaris (100 mg/kg b.w.day) for 6 weeks; group V with silymarin, positive control, at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w.day for 6 weeks; and groups IV and VI received only the extract or silymarin, respectively. Microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver increased following CCl(4) treatment by 61-213% and was not changed significantly by the extract. The effect of silymarin was more pronounced, 19-52% decrease in the lipid peroxidation level. Hepatic glutathione was depleted by 22% in CCl(4)-treated rats. The extract tested did not change this parameter. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was significantly reduced after CCl(4) administration, by 42-63%. Co-administration of the extract or silymarin resulted in significant increase in these enzymes activity; however, the basal level was not reached. Hepatic hydroxyproline concentration was elevated over 5-fold in comparison with controls. Co-administration of the extract or silymarin decreased the level of hydroxyproline by 66% and 55%, respectively. Activity of serum hepatic enzymes was elevated in rats treated with CCl(4) by 47-8700%. Both the extract and silymarin reduced significantly these enzymes' activity. The extract caused a fall in bilirubin and cholesterol level in rats treated with CCl(4) by 42% and 17%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed less-severe fibrosis in rats co-administered the extract or silymarin when compared to animals treated with CCl(4) alone.
Jodynis-Liebert
Jadwiga
J
Department of Toxicology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Dojazd 30, Poznań, Poland. liebert@ump.edu.pl
Adamska
Teresa
T
Ewertowska
Małgorzata
M
Bylka
Wiesława
W
Matławska
Irena
I
D000818:Animals; D031884:Aquilegia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D005978:Glutathione / Q000187:drug effects; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000187:drug effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D005978:Glutathione; D006909:Hydroxyproline