Hepatoprotective effect of a hot-water extract from the edible thorny oyster Spondylus varius on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

Abstract

The edible thorny oyster, Spondylus varius (Mizuirishoujou), was found to suppress the carbon tetrachloride-induced increase in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities in mice. Significant suppressive effects on these enzyme activities were found in the fraction eluted with 75% ethanol from polystyrene gel in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that S. varius exerts a protective effect against liver injury.