부산대학교 도서관

Background:Drugs are an important cause of liver injury. The use of natural remedies for the treatment of liver diseases has a long history and medicinal plants are still used all over the world for this purpose. For their medicinal and nutritional values, Berberis vulgaris, Crocus sativus and Ziziphus jujuba plants are of particular interest. In current study we aim to explore hepato-protective effects of three medicinal plants; C.sativus (petal and stigma), Z.jujuba and B.vulgaris in acute drug-induced hepatotoxicity and evaluation of their preventive effects in acetaminophen and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rat.Methods:One hundred thirty healthy male Wistar rats (200–220 g) were randomly assigned into 26 groups (n = 5). Different doses of Z.jujuba, C.sativus and B.vulgaris are used to treat acetaminophen and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity. Serum level of liver enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation measured using specific kits at the end of the experimental period. Furthermore, total phenol content; flavonoids and flavonol were also measured in each extract.Results:Treatment with medicinal plants decreased liver enzyme levels and improved oxidative stress status in hepatotoxic rats. This effect was notable in case of C. sativus and Z. jujuba. It is noteworthy plants used effectively treated acetaminophen group in comparison with rifampicin group.Conclusion:Normal levels of liver enzymes, an increase in total antioxidant capacity and a decrease in lipid peroxidation level uncovered hepato-protective effects of these plants. It seems antioxidant and hepato-protective effects of botanical extracts are basically linked with their phenol and flavonoid properties that neutralized oxidant agents. However, more studies required to implement our strategy.