Histopathological evaluation on the effect of red propolis on liver damage induced by CCl4 in rats

Arch Med Res. 1996 Autumn;27(3):285-9.

Abstract

A histopathological evaluation was performed on liver of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and 25,50 and 100 mg/kg of Cuban red propolis (RP) extract. Additionally, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum and liver triglycerides were determined in all animals. The morphometric study included the count of ballooned cells at the zone III of the Rappaport acini and the assessment of a software program to estimate the extension of steatosis area. A significant reduction of ballooned cells count in liver was observed at three dose levels of RP extract with respect to rats treated only with CCl4. Also, a certain reduction of steatosis degree as well as decreased concentration of liver triglycerides and ALT activity were found in three groups of rats treated with RP extract and CCl4 in relation to those treated with the hepatotoxin. Taken together, the histopathological and biochemical findings show hepatoprotective effects of RP extract in CCl4-induced liver damage in rats, probably due to the antioxidant effect of RP.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Carbon Tetrachloride / toxicity*
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / pathology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Cuba
  • Fatty Liver / chemically induced
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Propolis / chemistry
  • Propolis / pharmacology*
  • Propolis / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Software
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Triglycerides
  • Propolis
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Alanine Transaminase