Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of corosolic acid (CRA) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats. Liver damage was induced by giving a single oral dose of CCl₄ (1:1 in liquid paraffin) at 1.25 ml/kg body weight (BW). Rats were pretreated with CRA dose of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg BW (once daily for 7 days before CCl₄ intoxication). Pretreatment with CRA showed significant hepatoprotection by reducing the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymatic activities which had been raised by CCl₄administration. The levels of lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) were significantly increased by CCl₄administration and pretreatment with CRA; the levels of lipid peroxidative markers were reduced. The activities of enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and the levels of non enzymic antioxidants (Vitamins C, Vitamins E and reduced glutathione (GSH)) were decreased by CCl₄ administration and those pretreated with CRA above enzymic and non enzymic antioxidants were increased. The present study concluded that CRA possesses hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

 
Key words: Hepatotoxicity, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), corosolic acid, lipids peroxidations, antioxidant.