Protective effects of dehydrocavidine on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Aim of the study To investigate the protective effects of dehydrocavidine (DC), a main active ingredient of Corydalis saxicola Bunting ( Yanhuanglian), on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms involved in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Materials and methods Acute hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl 4 intoxication in rats. Serum biological analysis, lipid peroxides and antioxidants estimation, histopathological studies were carried out. Results Both pre-treatment with DC prior to CCl 4 administration and post-treatment with DC after CCl 4 administration significantly prevented increases in serum enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBIL). In addition, pre- and post-treatment with DC also significantly prevented formation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), depletion of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and depression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of CCl 4-intoxicated rats. ALT, AST, LDH, ALP and TBILL levels, as well as MDA, SOD and GPx activities were unaffected in normal rats by treatment with DC alone. GST, a phase II enzyme, had no significant changes during our experiments. Histopathological changes induced by CCl 4 were also significantly attenuated by DC treatment in both preventive and curative experiments. Conclusions DC has a potent hepatoprotective effect on CCl 4-induced liver injury in rats through its antioxidant activity.