Hepatoprotective effect of Clerodendrum capitatumon carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in Wistar rats

It is well known that more than 80% of the population of developing countries uses traditional medicines [1] to alleviate many pathological conditions. Clerodendrum capitatum (Willd.) Schumach. & Thonn (Lamiaceae) is used in traditional medicine and is claimed to be effective in the treatment of various ailments including hepatic disorders [2]. In the hepatoprotective studies, animal model of CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity is currently used [3]. CCL₄ induces liver toxicity through membrane lipid peroxidation and hepatocytes necrosis leading to the increase of MDA, NO, TNF-α, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase [4]; and the decrease of SOD, CAT and GSH concentrations in the plasma. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of natural products are considered beneficial in preventing toxicity [5,6]. In this presentation the effects of C. capitatum leaves extract, was administered in prevention to the liver toxicity induced by CCL₄ were evaluated. Results indicate that C. capitatum at 800 mg/gk reduce ALT concentration from 407.9 ± 34.1 U/l to 122.2 ± 26.3 U/l; PAL concentration from 535.2 ± 44.4 U/l to 148.4 ± 25.3 U/l; NO concentration from 0,22 ± 0.01 to 0.06 ± 0.02 nmol/mg proteins and lipid peroxidation (MDA) from 12.86 ± 0.53 to 3.49 ± 0.23 nmol/mg proteins. The extract at 800 mg/kg decrease significantly TNF-α concentration from 6 × 10⁷ to 2 × 10⁷ ng/g proteins. We conclude that extract Clerodendrum capitatum reduces significantly CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity and may be useful for liver protection.

Keywords: Clerodendrum capitatum, hepatoprotective, TNF-α, oxidative stress.

References:

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).