Hepatoprotective effects of Solanum nigrum Linn extract against CCl 4-iduced oxidative damage in rats

Abstract

Solanum nigrum L. (SN) is an herbal plant that has been used as hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation agent in Chinese medicine. In this study, the protective effects of water extract of SN (SNE) against liver damage were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally fed with SNE (0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g kg −1 bw) along with administration of CCl 4 (20% CCl 4/corn oil; 0.5 mL kg −1 bw) for 6 weeks. The results showed that the treatment of SNE significantly lowered the CCl 4-induced serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (GOT, GPT, ALP, and total bilirubin), superoxide and hydroxyl radical. The hepatic content of GSH, and activities and expressions of SOD, GST Al, and GST Mu that were reduced by CCl 4 were brought back to control levels by the supplement of SNE. Liver histopathology showed that SNE reduced the incidence of liver lesions including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, lymphocytes infiltration, hepatic necrosis, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by CCl 4 in rats. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that SNE could protect liver against the CCl 4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.