Hepatoprotective Effects of Apple Polyphenols on CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Damage in Mice

Abstract

In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of apple polyphenols (AP, Appjfnol) against CCl(4)-induced acute liver damage in Kunming mice as well as the possible mechanisms were investigated. Mice were treated with AP (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, ig) for seven consecutive days prior to the administration of CCl(4) (0.1%, intraperitoneally). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations in the hepatic homogenate, and histopathological changes in mouse liver sections were determined. Levels of ferrous sulfate-L-cysteine (FeSO(4)-L-Cys)-induced lipid peroxidation and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were also determined in vitro. AP significantly prevented the increase in serum ALT and AST levels in acute liver injury induced by CCl(4) and produced a marked amelioration in the histopathological hepatic lesions coupled to weight loss. The extent of MDA formation was reduced; the SOD activity was enhanced, and the GSH concentration was increased in the hepatic homogenate in AP-treated groups compared with the CCl(4)-intoxicated group. AP also exhibited antioxidant effects on FeSO(4)-L-Cys-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate and DPPH free radical scavenging activity in vitro. These results indicate that AP has a significant protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by CCl(4) in mice, which may be due to its free radical scavenging effect, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and its ability to increase antioxidant activity.