Prevention of alcohol-carbon tetrachloride-induced signs of early hepatotoxicity in mice by Trianthema portulacastrum L.

The antihepatotoxic potential of an ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (excluding the roots) was evaluated against alcohol-carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced acute liver damage in mice. The extract at a dose of 50,100 or 150 mg/kg was administered per os once daily for successive three days concomitant with alcohol-CCl(4) treatment. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol and glutamate dehydrogenase due to alcohol-CCl(4) treatment were dose-dependently restored towards normalization following the extract therapy. There was a marked inhibition of serum bilirubin und urea levels in the plant extract-treated groups which were otherwise drastically increased in alcohol-CCl(4) control animals. The extract also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation (evidence of lipid peroxidation) and depletion of reduced glutathione content in liver of mice intoxicated with alcohol-CCl(4) in a dose-responsive fashion. The results of this study clearly indicate that the plant possesses a potent hepatoprotective action against alcohol-CCl(4)-induced hepatocellular injury which corroborates its use in hepatic disorders as well as alcohol-evoked liver ailments in traditional oriental medicine. Copyright © 1996 Gustav Fischer Verlag · Stuttgart · Jena · New York. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.