Toxicological and biochemical studies on Schinus terebinthifolius concerning its curative and hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND: Recently, many efforts have been made to discover new products of natural origin which can limit the xenobiotic-induced hepatic injury. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) is a highly toxic chemical that is widely used to study hepatotoxicity in animal models. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate the curative and protective effects of Schinus terbenthifolius ethanolic extract against CCl(4) -induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. terbenthifolius extract was orally administered in a dose of 350 mg dried extract/kg b.wt. before and after intoxication with CCl(4) for curative and protective experiments, respectively. A group of hepatotoxicity indicative enzymes, oxidant-antioxidant capacity, DNA oxidation, and apoptosis markers were measured. RESULTS: CCl(4) increased liver enzyme leakage, oxidative stress, hepatic apoptosis, DNA oxidation, and inflammatory markers. Administration of S. terebinthifolius, either before or after CCl(4) intoxication, significantly decreased elevated serum liver enzymes and reinstated the antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, S. terebinthifolius extract inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis as revealed by approximately 20 times down-regulation in caspase-3 expression when compared to CCl(4) untreated group. On the other hand, there was neither protective nor curative effect of S. terebinthifolius against DNA damage caused by CCl(4). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that S. terebinthifolius extract could be a substantially promising hepatoprotective agent against CCl(4) toxic effects and may be against other hepatotoxic chemical or drugs.