Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Artimesia Monosperma Against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatic Damage Rat

The hepatoprotective effect of aqueous ethanol extract of Artimesia monosperma aerial parts was investigated against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rat. The hepatoprotective activity of A. monosperma was evaluated by determination of liver enzyme markers in the serum (aspartat amino transferase AST; serum alanine transaminase ALT and alkaline phosphatase ALP). The histopathological studies were also carried out to support the above parameters. Oral administration of A. monosperma (100 and 200 mg/kg) markedly reduced the elevated values of AST, ALT and ALP caused by CCl4 treatment. Glutathione (GSH) significantly decreases in the group treated with CCl4. A. monosperma (two doses) and silymarin significantly increased GSH levels when they administrated with CCl 4 . However, silymarin normalized liver enzymes and increased GSH levels than A. monosperma (two doses) when compared with the control group. Histopathological results revealed that A. monosperma treatment with its two doses exhibited almost normal architecture, compared to CCl4-treated group. Image analysis of liver revealed a marked reduction in liver damage area after treatment with A. monosperma (100 or 200 mg/kg) and silymarin compared with CCl4-treated group. A phytochemical study of A. monosprema resulted in the isolation of a quercetin 3-O-β- glucopyranoside; quercetin 5-O-β-glucopyranoside; isorhamnetin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside; 5, 4' - dihydroxy 6, 7-dimethoxy flavone; 5, 3' - dihydroxy 6, 7, 4'- trimethoxy flavone; 5, 7, 3' - trihydroxy 3, 6, 4' - trimethoxy flavone; quercetin and isorhamnetin. Structures of the isolated compounds were established by chromatography, UV and 1D/2D 1 H' 13 C spectroscopy. Hepatoprotective effect of A. momosperma is probably due to combined effect of flavonoids.