EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF NEPETA ISPAHANICA BOISS AGAINST ACUTE LIVER INJURY INDUCED BY CCL4 IN MALE WISTAR RATS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Chemical toxins such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) cause liver dysfunction. In this regard, the hepatoprotective effect of antioxidants against these toxins has been studied previously. Since herbal agents, including Nepeta species, are the major source of antioxidants, the present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Nepeta ispahanica (N. ispahanica) against acute liver injury induced by CCl4 in male rats.

In this experimental study, different doses of hydroalcoholic extract of N. ispahanica and Legalone were fed to male rats separately and then acute liver injury was induced by oral administration of CCl4 in liquid paraffin. Liver enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in liver and plasma, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue, were evaluated.

The findings indicated that the 10-day administration of hydroalcoholic extract of N.ispahanica at dose of 500 mg/kg significantly decreased the serum activity of liver enzymes compared to the CCl4 group and significantly decreased liver MDA and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels and protected the liver from CCl4 injury.

According to the presented findings, hydroalcoholic extract of N.ispahanica had a partial protection against CCl4-induced liver injury in male rats and this role is probably due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds.