Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Some Medicinal Plant Mixtures on CCl4-Induced Liver Toxicity

Abstract

The rhizomes of Ginger (Zingiberofficinale), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra), the bark of Cinnamon tree,(Cinnamomumzeylanicum) and the calyces of red Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)are herbs used in thishepatoprotective studies. This study evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of water extract mixtures using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats.In vitroantioxidant activity of plant water extracts was determined using DPPH. The water extractmixtures wereadministered for 10 days; on the 10thday all rats were challenged with CCl4 except control group animals. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin levels were determined to prove the hepatoprotectiveeffect.The enzyme activities were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. The four water extract mixtures exhibited significant (P<0.05) protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatoxocity and nephrotoxicity by decreasing the levels of serum markers, specially AST and creatinine , respectively.On the other hand, the serum lipid profiles were slightly improved ; HDL-cholesterol significantly (P<0.05) increased in all the water extract mixtures used.