Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of ginkgo biloba extract and its comparison with silymarin on acute hepatic injury caused in rats by the administration of carbon tetrachloride

ABSTRACT

The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on acute liver injury caused by CCl4 was studied and compared to that of silymarin in the rat. Ginkgo biloba at doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg or silymarin at dose of 22 mg/kg was given once daily orally for 15 days starting at time of CCI[4] administration. Ginkgo biloba at 50 mg/kg conferred- significant protection against the hepatotoxic actions of CCl[4], reducing serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] levels to 39.6%, 46.8% and 33.1% of that of controls, respectively. In comparison, the elevated serum AST, ALT and ALP levels decreased to 28.4%, 45.1% and 34.2% of controls, respectively by 22 mg kg of silymarin. Histological examination showed marked decrease in centrilobular necrotic areas in rats treated with silymarin or ginkgo biloba. Rats treated with ginkgo biloba revealed more or less normal hepatocyte architecture. Stained sections were subjected to morphometric evaluation using computerized image analyzer. On image analysis, the area of damage was reduced by 34.8%, 65.5% by 25 or 50 mg/kg ginkgo biloba and by 89.2% by 22 mg/kg silymarin, respectively. The study suggests that administration of ginkgo biloba in a model of CCl4 induced liver injury result in less liver damage. Ginkgo biloba might be of value in the therapy of chronic hepatitis