Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Salix subserrata against CCl(4)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND: The liver performs diverse functions that are essential for life. In the absence of reliable liver protective drugs, a large number of natural medicinal preparations are used for the treatment of liver diseases. Therefore the present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Salix subserrata Willd flower ethanolic extract (SFEE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage. METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. Group I served as the normal healthy control, groups II rats were intoxicated with CCl(4) i.p. (0.8 ml/kg body weight CCl(4)/olive oil, twice weekly for 9 weeks), group III rats received CCl(4) i.p. and SFEE orally (150 mg/kg daily) and group IV rats received CCl(4) i.p. and Silymarin orally (100 mg/kg, daily). The hepatoprotective potential of SFEE in rats was evaluated by measuring the protein levels of two inflammatory biomarkers; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) in addition to other liver biomarkers. Histopathological changes in the liver were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE). RESULTS: The administration of SFEE showed hepatic protection at an oral dose of 150 mg/kg. SFEE significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of intracellular liver enzymes as well as liver biomarkers in comparison to CCl(4−) intoxicated group. Notably, SFEE significantly reduced the expression levels of TNF-α and NFkB proteins compared to their levels in CCl(4) intoxicated group. These findings were confirmed with the histopathological observations, where SFEE was capable of reversing the toxic effects of CCl(4) on liver cells compared to that observed in CCl(4)-intoxicated animals. CONCLUSION: Our results show that SFEE has potential hepatoprotective effects at 150 mg/kg. These effects can be regarded to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the extract.