Protective effect of Pracparatum mungo extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Pracparatum mungo is a traditional and functional food in Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially for treating a variety of liver disorders. In this study, we first report the in vivo hepatoprotective effect of P. mungo extract (PME) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Pre-treatment with PME for 56 days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The results were confirmed histopathologically. In addition, an increased lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), a decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and a decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed in the hepatic tissues. On the contrary, treatment of PME prior to the administration of CCl4 resulted in markedly decreased lipid peroxidation, increased the levels of GSH and SOD in rats. The results indicated that PME has a protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by the administration of CCl4 in rats, and that the hepatoprotective effects of PME may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.