INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ARTEMISIA L. HERB EXTRACTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE TOXIC TETRACHLOROMETHANE LIVER DAMAGE

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Introduction. Artemisia L. genus species are the promising sources for the manufacturing of drugs with hepatoprotective activity. They are used as appetizing, anthelmintic, bactericidal, choleretic and anti-inflammatory re­medies. The pharmacological activity of Artemisia L. species is caused by the presence of different groups of biologically active substances.
 The aim of the study – to learn the acute toxicity and the effect of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris water-alcohol extracts on the progress of the toxic tetrachloromethane liver damage.
 Research Methods. The method of preclinical study of drugs safety was used to determine the acute toxicity. The investigation of hepatoprotective activity of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris extracts was performed using the model of acute tetrachloromethane hepatitis. Hepatoprotector of local manufacturer (“Silibor” tablets) was used as the reference drug.
 Results and Discussion. It was found that intragastric administration of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris extracts at the dose of 6000 mg/kg does not lead to the death of animals. There were no changes in the integral, hematological, biochemical parameters and in the morphological structure of the internal organs of experimental animals. It allows to characterize the extracts at this dose as almost non-toxic ones (V toxicity class, LD50>5000 mg/kg) according to the toxicity classification of substances. The results of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris extracts study indicate that they show the distinct hepatoprotective activity in condition of acute toxic liver damage. They suppress peroxide destructive processes and reduce the evolution of cytolysis syndrome and their effects are no inferior rather than the effect of tablets “Silibor”.
 Conclusions. The study of acute toxicity of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris extracts after their intragastric administration at the dose of 6000 mg/kg does not lead to the animals death. They were tidy and had the good appetite. The animals reacted adequately to sound and light stimulation. The processes of urination and defecation were unchanged. Breathing disorders and seizures were not observed. The investigated Artemisia ­absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris extracts demonstrate hepatoprotective activity in condition of acute toxic liver damage. This is proved by decreasing in the intensity of lipid peroxidation and in the toxicity of tetrachloromethane. Biochemical parameters of the animals’ blood and the liver homogenate became responded to the level of intact animals.