Subacute Effects of Standardized F umaria Vaillantii Lois. Ethanol Extract on Trace Element Levels, Biochemical and Histopathological Parameters in Experimental Liver Toxicity

Abstract

In this study, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extracts of Fumaria vaillantii Lois. was investigated against CCl4-induced toxicity in rats. F. vaillantii (500 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in the plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and tissue malondialdehyde levels, and a significant increase in the reduced glutathione and catalase levels, compared with the CCl4 group. These findings were approved by histopathological observations. Additionally, a significant decrease was found in liver Cu levels (18.5%) of the extract-treated group (500 mg/kg), while an increase in liver Zn (16.2%) levels was observed compared with the CCl4 group. These changes in liver Zn and Cu levels caused by F. vaillantii extract may contribute to its positive effects on liver toxicity. Phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extract were examined and the extract was standardized by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection on the basis of rutin, chlorogenic and caffeic acids as markers. Practical Applications Fumaria species have been used both as food and traditional medicine. In some Mediterranean countries, the leaves of the plant are cooked or eaten as salad. In Turkey, they are also being drunk as herbal tea, eaten as salad and roasted. The results suggested that F. vaillantii ethanol extract standardized by rutin, chlorogenic and caffeic acids had a significant protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, F. vaillantii can be consumed safely and because of its beneficial effect on liver toxicity, its standardized ethanol extract can be used in the preparation of herbal medicines or food supplements in pharmaceutical and food industry.