Efecto hepatoprotector de un extracto de cálices de Physalis peruviana en hepatotoxicidad inducida por CCl4 en ratas wistar / Hepatoprotective effect of calyces extract of Physalis peruviana on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in wistar rats

Background: Physalis peruviana (“uchuva”, Solanaceae) is a widespread species of the South AmericanAndes and widely used in traditional medicine. Its fruits are consumed as food and for the treatment ofdiabetes. The juice of Physalis peruviana fruits is topically applied in the eyes for pterigyum treatment.Previous works reported that the fruit extracts has modulating activity of oxidative stress in experimentaldiabetes models induced by streptozotocin. It has been attributed antipyretic, antimicrobial, analgesicand anti-inflammatory properties to the calyces enveloping the fruit. Reported literature demonstrates invivo and in vitro that different calyx’s extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Objectives:To evaluate the in vivo hepatoprotective effect of the extract of Physalis peruviana calyces, involvinginflammation and oxidative stress models at hepatic level. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced bysingle oral administration of CCl4 (2 mL / Kg in olive oil) in Wistar rats. Physalis peruviana extract (250mg/Kg) and silymarin (200 mg/Kg), used as control drug, were administrated twice a day for five days.At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured as well as some parameters of hepaticantioxidant status like superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation.Results: Extract of Physalis peruviana calyces inhibited significantly (p < 0.001) liver oxidativestress caused by CCl4, maintaining superoxide dismutase and catalase activities close to normal. Studiedextract also reduced significantly liver enzymes levels increased by CCl4 administration...