Attenuation of CCl(4)-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rat by Launaea procumbens

Antioxidant effects of Launaea procumbens methanol extract (LPME) were evaluated against CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress in liver of rat. 48 male rats were equally divided in to 8 groups (06 rats each). Group I (control) remained untreated, while Group II was given vehicles (olive oil and DMSO). Animals of Groups III, IV, V, VI and VII were injected intraperitoneally with CCl(4) (3 ml/kg b.w.; i.p., 20% CCl(4)/olive oil) twice a week for four weeks. Group III received only CCl(4) while Group IV was given rutin (50 mg/kg b.w.). Group V, VI and VII were administered LPME at a dose of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg b.w., respectively. Animals of Group VIII received LPME (200 mg/kg b.w.) alone. Oxidative stress induced with CCl(4) in liver was evident by a significant increase in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and enzymatic activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, γ-GT activities in serum. Level of lipid peroxidation, nitrite, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, DNA injuries in liver samples was also increased with CCl(4). GSH concentration in liver was significantly decreased, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-Px, GST, GSR, QR. Co-treatment of rats with LPME and rutin prevented all the changes observed with CCl(4). Hepatic lesions and telomerase activity induced with CCl(4) was also suppressed with LPME and rutin. It is suggested that LPME effectively prevented the CCl(4)-induced oxidative injuries in liver, possibly through antioxidant and/or free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the extract.