Hepatoprotective effect of Stachys pilifera ethanol extract in carbon tetrachloride-induce hepatotoxicity in rats.
BACKGROUND
Stachys pilifera Benth (Lamiaceae) has long been used to treat infectious diseases, respiratory and rheumatoid disorders in Iranian folk medicine. Antitumor and antioxidant activity of the plant have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Stachys pilifera in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.


METHODS
The rats were randomly divided into six equal groups (n = 7). Group I was treated with normal saline; Group II received CCl4(1 mL/kg. i.p., twice a week) for 60 consecutive days; Groups III, IV and V were given CCl4plus Stachys pilifera (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d,p.o.); Group VI received the extract (400 mg/kg/d, p.o.). Histopathological analysis and measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were performed.


RESULTS
CCl4caused a significant increase in the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and MDA as well as decreased ALB, and TP serum levels (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) significantly normalized the CCl4-elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and MDA (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also increased the serum levels of TP compared to CCl4group (p< 0.01). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also decreased the histological injuries (inflammation and fatty degeneration) by CCl4.


CONCLUSIONS
The results revealed that the Stachys pilifera extract could provide considerable protection against CCl4hepatotoxicity in rats that may be related to its antioxidant properties.
a Department of Biology, Faculty of Science , Guilan University , Rasht , Iran.
Esmaeel
E
Panahi Kokhdan
b Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine , AJA University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Kyomarth
K
Ahmadi
c Medicinal Plants Research Center , Yasuj University of Medical Sciences , Yasuj , Iran.
Heibatollah
H
Sadeghi
d Cellular and Molecular Research Center , Yasuj University of Medical Sciences , Yasuj , Iran.
Hossein
H
Sadeghi
e School of Nursing, AJA University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Fahemeh
F
Dadgary
c Medicinal Plants Research Center , Yasuj University of Medical Sciences , Yasuj , Iran.
Nazanin
N
Danaei
a Department of Biology, Faculty of Science , Guilan University , Rasht , Iran.
Mahmoud Reza
MR
Aghamaali
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D031366:Stachys / Q000737:chemistry*
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
ALP; AST; MDA; hepatotoxicity