Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of the Retama raetam seeds on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous methanolic extract of Retama raetam seeds was investigated against CCl₄-induced liver damage in rats. The extract was tested in two different treatments (20 and 40mg/kg b.wt.) and three different durations (2, 3 and 4 weeks). Serum samples were taken to determine the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The histopathological and histochemical effects on the liver tissue were also investigated to support the above parameters. The results of the present study indicated that the levels of serum AST, ALT and ALP were significantly (P <0.05) elevated by CCl₄ administration as compared with the control group and significantly reduced at P<0.05 by the treatment with the plant extract (20 and 40mg/kg/b.w for 2, 3, or 4 weeks) in the CCl₄-intoxicated rats. Microscopic examination of liver of CCl₄ treated animals revealed focal necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration in the periportal areas with massive fatty infiltration. The histopathological examination also showed clearly that the extract of Rateam ratem seeds reduced the alterations that induced in liver by CCl_4. The maximum protection against CCl₄-induced hepatic aberrations was achieved with the optimum dose (40mg/kg b. wt.) of the extract and the effect of Retama raetam seems dose- and time-dependant. Flavonoid derivatives are commonly found in plants and have been shown to display remarkably of biological activities, such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities [1]. Therefore, our findings suggest that the flavonoid derivatives are the major active compounds responsible for the hepatoprotective activity of Retama raetam.

References: [1] Middleton, E. et al. (2000) Pharmacol. Rev. 52:673–751.