The Antioxidant Activity of Pinus merkusii Ethanol Extract as Hepatoprotector in Mice

This study was carried out to investigate the activity of the extract of Pinus merkusii in protecting against lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity. Mice were given Pinus merkusii 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg/kg BW orally once in a day for 40 days, and of the 5th day , were given lead acetate 30 mg/kg BW one hour after Pinus merkusii extract administration. Pinus merkusii extracts significantly decreased the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), Malondialdehye (MDA) levels and protected liver cell damage in lead acetate induced-hepatocyte. Pinus merkusii extract is a potent antioxidant and provide a promising hepatoprotective effect againts lead acetateinduced hepatotoxicity. Key words: Pinus merkusii extracts, MDA, lead acetate, hepatotoxicity