Influence of selected Stachys extracts on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

Abstract

The influence of methanol extracts of four Stachys species from Balkan on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated. The extracts were obtained from aerial parts of S. beckeana Dörfler & Hayek, S. anisochila Vis. et Pančić, S. plumosa Griseb. and S. alpina L. subsp. dinarica Murb. The liver damage was induced by s.c. injections of carbon tetrachloride (2.5 ml/kg b.w.) and the extracts were then consecutively applied for five days. Their effects were evaluated through alteration of biochemical parameters (liver enzymes in the serum), as well as through histopathological changes in the liver (liver damage score, LDS). Treatment of CCl4-intoxicated rats with methanol extracts of investigated Stachys taxa (200 and 100 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) significantly reduced increased level of marker enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the serum (with the exception of AST and ALT after 100 mg/kg of S. anisochila extract was administered). Vast degenerative and vascular changes in CCl4-treated rats were also notably reduced after the treatment with investigated extracts, corroborating the biochemical observations and confirming their hepatoprotective effects. The best dose-dependant activity was achieved by the methanol extract of S. alpina subsp. dinarica.