title: Hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract from Berchemia lineate against CCl4-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The roots of Berchemia lineate (L.) DC. (Rhamnaceae) have been long used as a remedy for the treatment of some diseases in Guangxi Province, China.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigates the hepatoprotective effect of Berchemia lineate ethanol extract (BELE) on CCl4-induced acute liver damage in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effect of BELE administrated for 7 consecutive days was evaluated in mice by the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), albulin (ALB), globulin (GLB), and total protein (TP) levels, as well as liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Moreover, histopathological examinations were also taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the model group, administration of 400 mg/kg BELE for 7 d in mice significantly decreased the serum ALT (56.25 U/L), AST (297.67 U/L), ALP (188.20 U/L), and TBIL (17.90 mol/L), along with the elevation of TP (64.67 g/L). In addition, BELE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, i.g.) treated mice recorded a dose-dependent increment of SOD (291.17, 310.32, and 325.67 U/mg prot) and reduction of MDA (7.27, 6.77, and 5.33 nmol/mg prot) levels. Histopathological examinations also confirmed that BELE can ameliorate CCl4-induced liver injuries, characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration/necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and sinusoidal dilatation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that BELE possessed remarkable protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity and oxidative injuries induced by CCl4, and that the hepatoprotective effects of BELE may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University , Xiamen, Fujian Province , PR China.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Tao
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Lian-Jin
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Weng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027823:Rhamnaceae
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride
keywords: Antioxidant; hepatoprotection; serum biomarkers