Protective effect of (+)cyanidanol-3 in acute liver injury induced by galactosamine or carbon tetrachloride in the rat.

Pretreatment of rats with (+)cyanidanol--3 decreases the alterations in liver function tests (transaminase and bilirubin) as well as the accumulation of hepatic triglycerides induced by acute doses of galactosamine or carbon tetrachloride. This action was related to the dose of (+)cyanidanol-3 administered. The lowest effective doses were 3 intraperitoneal injections of 125 mg/kg administered before galactosamine or carbon tetrachloride. In the case of carbon tetrachloride intoxication, in vivo administration of (+)cyanidanol-3 reduced to a slight extent the absorption of conjugated dienes produced in liver microsomal lipid. This observation confirms that (+)cyanidanol-3 is able to prevent lipid peroxidation in vivo. As the protective effect of (+)cyanidanol-3 becomes apparent in two types of intoxication which are very different in their primary mechanisms of action, it is suggested that, the flavonoid also acts on a later stage of the process leading to necrosis and steatosis of the liver.