HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF GENISTA QUADRIFLORA MUNBY EXTRACT AGAINST ETHANOL INDUCED TOXICITY

Abstract

Objective: Excessive ethanol intake induces severe tissue damage particularly in the liver through the generation of reactive oxygen species. This study was designed to examine the effect of n-butanol extract of Genista quadriflora for its protective potentials against ethanol induced toxicity.

Methods: The effect of n-butanol extract of Genista quadriflora at a dose of 200 mg/kg was studied on ethanol induced hepatic damage (40 percent v/v, 3 g/kg per oral every 12 hours for 3 doses) in Wistar Albino rats. Serum transaminases, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GP_X) and catalase were estimated to access liver damage. A histological study was determined.

Results: It was found that combined Genista quadriflora (200mg/kg) extract and ethanol treatment decreased significantly TBARS level and increased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities compared to the ethanol group (p<0.01). Treatment with ethanol altered liver architecture, whereas the extract pretreatment could be a protective factor for this organ.

Conclusions: Results of in vivo experiments showed that the n-butanol extract of Genista quadriflora inhibited lipid peroxidation, protected the experimental animals from hepatic toxicity and maintained the levels of antioxidants enzymes.

Key words: Genista quadriflora, ethanol, Antioxidant activities, lipid peroxidation, hepatoprotective effect.