Antioxidant and protective effects of Phytocee(™) against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of a polyherbal formulation (Phytocee(™)) in the rodent model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of rats (n = 6) were pretreated with Vitamin C (20 mg/kg) or Phytocee(™) (20, 100, and 200 mg/kg), respectively for 10 days. Oxidative stress in rat liver was induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) at 2 ml/kg as a single dose orally to all groups except the vehicle control group. After 24 h of administration of CCl(4), hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Phytocee(™) administered groups at all the dose levels significantly reduced the hepatic MDA, serum ALT and AST levels with a marked increase in hepatic SOD and catalase as compared with CCl(4) treated group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that Phytocee(™) markedly reversed the effects of CCl(4) induced oxidative stress and can be used as an antioxidant feed supplement.