Liver Protection by Natural Means

Due to the high interest in bioactive plant derived materials, hepatoprotective activity of the hydro-alcohol extract of Gentiana spicata (Gentianaceae) on carbon tetrachloride treated rats was investigated. This plant is common in the tropics and subtropics of both hemispheres. It is commonly used as folk medicine for treating stomach disorders, hypertension, renal colic, rheumatic pains, and for elimination of stones from the kidney and the ureters. Pre-treatment with gentiana extract significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes, the major indicators of liver injury. In addition to, the capability of the extract to restore reduced glutathione depletion and to deplete reduced the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Furthermore, histopathological observation also showed an obvious amelioration in liver cell necrosis, liver lesions, and fatty changes. A new carboxygentisic acid (spicatic acid) was isolated as a first report in this study, besides flavonoids and catechins and their gallolyated derivatives. All structures were elucidated on the basis of conventional analytical methods.