RESUMO
Many studies have been performed to prevent liver toxicity in animal models. It is well known that herbal medicines play an important role in therapy. The crude hydroalcoholic extract of Morus alba L. leaves was evaluated for hepatoprotection against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. The hydroalcoholic extract was prepared by maceration technique. Animals were weighed and divided into five groups of seven mice. Group one received carbon tetrachloride [positive group]. Group two received only olive oil [solvent of CCL[4] as negative group]. Groups three [A1], four [A2], and five [A3] received crude extract in doses of 200, 400, and 800mg/kg, respectively and one hour later carbon tetrachloride in doses of 0.2ml/kg for five consecutive days [test groups]. All administrations were made by p.o. in 0.2ml volume. Then on the day six animals received sodium hexabarbital in doses of 25mg/kg i.p. to determine the sleeping time. After sleep time determination animals were sacrificed and from the jugular vein, blood was taken. Serum was obtained for determination of aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] enzymes levels. Livers were removed and kept in 10% formalin bufferd solution for histopathological examinations. The hydroalcoholic extract at dose of 800mg/kg exhibited a significant liver protective effect by lowering the serum levels of AST and ALT, decreasing the sleeping time and resulting in less pronouced destruction of the liver architecture, there was no fibrosis and inflammation, as compared with CCI[4] group [p<0.05]