Work

Hepatoprotective Effects of Hovenia dulcis Extract on Acute and Chronic Liver Injuries induced by Alcohol and Carbon Tetrachloride

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Hovenia dulcis extract on acute and chronic liver injuries induced by alcohol and $CCl_4$ in mice and rats. Methods : In acute alcohol-induced liver injury, mice were administered Hovenia dulcis extracts (60 and 200 mg/kg) orally before and after alcohol administration. In chronic alcohol-induced liver injury, mice were administered alcohol containing liquid diet for 4 weeks. The mice were administered H. dulcis extracts (60 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with the liquid diet. In acute $CCl_4$ -induced liver injury, rats received a single dose of $CCl_4$ (2 mL/kg in olive oil, intraperitoneally). Rats were administered H. dulcis extracts (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) before and after $CCl_4$ administrations. After the ends of the administrations, the serum levels of AST and ALT were measured using chemical analyzer, and ${\gamma}$ -GTP levels were measured using spectrophotometer. Results : In acute alcohol-induced liver injury, H. dulcis extracts treated group showed significant reduction in ALT levels compared to those of control group. In chronic alcohol-induced liver injury, it inhibited weight-loss compared to normal group and showed significant reduction in AST, ALT and ${\gamma}$ -GTP levels compared to control group. In acute $CCl_4$ -induced liver injury, it also showed significant reduction in AST, ALT levels compared to control group. Conclusions : The results show that H. dulcis extract has hepatoprotective effect in acute and chronic alcohol-induced liver injury and acute $CCl_4$ -induced liver injury. These findings suggest that H. dulcis could be a potent hepatoprotective agent.

Source: The Korea Journal of Herbology

DOI: 10.6116/kjh.2013.28.4.25