Hepatoprotective Activity of Rubia tinctorum’s Extract against CCl4 Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats
Fatimazahra Marhoume
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Hassan 1er, Settat, Morocco and Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Younes Zaid
National Reference Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Morocco
Hicham Boufous
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Hassan 1er, Settat, Morocco and Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Nadia Errafiy *
National Reference Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Morocco
Mehdi Ait Laaradia
Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Jawad Laadraoui
Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Abde lmalek Hakmaoui
Departement of Anatomy Pathology, Mohamed VI University Hospital Centre, Marrakech, Morocco
Abdellah Bagri
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Hassan 1er, Settat, Morocco
Abderahmane Chait
Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of Rubia tinctorum’s extract against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats. Twenty four rats were divided into four groups. Group I received normal saline (10 ml/kg) and group II (normal control) was treated with vehicle (olive oil 1 ml/kg), Group III (CCl4 control) received 1 ml/kg CCl4 mixed with equal volume of olive oil and Group IV (test group) received simultaneously the extract (1 g/kg) + CCl4 for 15 days. At the end of the experiment (2 weeks), blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The present study revealed that CCl4 significantly increased (P<0.001) hepatic markers (ASAT, ALAT, GGT, ALP and direct bilirubin) activities, but these effects were decreased by the treatment of rats with Rubia tinctorum’s extract. Histopathologically, the potential hepatoprotective (the hepatoprotective potential of the plant) activity of the plant was also revealed by its regenerative action on CCl4 induced liver tissues injury.
This finding indicates that Rubia tinctorum L has a potent hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced liver damage and improved the biochemical and histopathological results.
Keywords: Rubia tinctorum L, hepatoprotective activity, CCl4, biochemistry, histopathology