Hepatoprotective Effect of Microemulsion-Based System of Prunus Cerasus Kernel Extract on CCL4-induced Liver Damage in Mice

[Background]Liver diseases are among the public health concerns that significantly contribute to the global burden of mortality and illness. Herbal medicines are always used to treat a great number of diseases such as hepatotoxicity worldwide.[Objectives]The current study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective activity of microemulsion (ME)-based system Prunus cerasus kernel extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄)-induced hepatic injury in mice.[Methods]In the current experimental study, 56 male Swiss albino mice (weighed 25 - 30 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups. The plant extract was administered orally in mice in doses of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% with or without CCL₄ for 10 days and then, their blood and liver were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses, respectively.[Results]The findings of the current study revealed that the increased serum enzymes activity and various pathological changes in mice received CCL₄ were significantly affected by the hepatoprotective activity of Prunus cerasus kernel extract in the groups treated with 2.5% ME, 5% ME and 1000 mg/kg non-ME.[Conclusions]In the current experimental conditions, 5% ME extract and 1000 mg/kg non-ME extract had almost similar hepatoprotective effects on CCL₄-induced liver injury.