Hepatoprotective effect of otostegia persica boiss. shoot extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats

ABSTRACT

In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract of aerial parts [shoot] from Otostegia persica Boiss [Golder] was investigated against the carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]]-induced acute hepatotoxicity in male rats. Liver damage was induced through the oral administration of 50% CCl[4] in liquid paraffin [2.5 mL/Kg bw, per os] 60 min after the administration of the methanol extract of O. persica shoot [in 200, 300, 400 mg/Kg bw doses] and assessed using biochemical parameters [plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde [MDA], transaminase enzyme levels in plasma [aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT]] and liver glutathione [GSH] levels]. Results show that the methanol extract of O. persica shoot is active at 300 mg/Kg [per os] and it possess remarkable antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Additionally, histopathological studies verified the effectiveness of this dose of extract in acute liver damage prevention