Beneficial Effects of Ocimum gratissimum Aqueous Extract on Rats with CCl(4)-Induced Acute Liver Injury.
Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is known as a food spice and traditional herb, which has been recommended for the treatment of various diseases. To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of OG aqueous extract (OGAE), male Wistar rats challenged by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) were used as the animal model of chronic hepatic injury. Significantly increased serum catalase and DPPH levels were detected in CCl(4)-administrated rats that were treated with OGAE or silymarin as compared to those rats that were treated with saline or CCl(4). In contrast, significantly decreased stress proteins including HSP70 and iNOS were observed in livers of CCl(4)-administrated rats that were treated with OGAE or sylimarin as compared to those rats that were treated with saline or CCl(4). Moreover, significant decreases of MMP-9/MMP-2 ratio, uPA, phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and NF-κB (p-P65) were detected in livers of CCl(4)-administrated rats that were treated with OGAE or sylimarin as compared to those rats that were treated with saline or CCl(4). These findings imply that OGAE can efficiently inhibit CCl(4)-induced liver injuries in rats and may therefore be a potential food or herb for preventing liver injuries.
Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
Chun-Ching
CC
Chiu
Chih-Yang
CY
Huang
Tzy-Yen
TY
Chen
Shao-Hsuan
SH
Kao
Jer-Yuh
JY
Liu
Yi-Wen
YW
Wang
Bor-Show
BS
Tzang
Tsai-Ching
TC
Hsu