Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of flemingia macrophylla on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats through anti-oxidative activities

This study investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Flemingia macrophylla (AFM) against hepatic injury induced by CCl₄. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected as biomarkers in the blood to indicate hepatic injury. Product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were evaluated for oxidative stress in hepatic injury. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed for the degree of hepatic injury. After oral administration of AFM, 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg doses significantly decreased ALT and AST, attenuated the histopathology of hepatic injury, ameliorated oxidative stress in hepatic tissue, and increased the activities of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px. The hepatoprotective effect of daidzein and genistein were consistent to that of AFM. This study demonstrated for the first time that AFM has hepatoprotective effect on acute liver injuries induced by CCl₄, and the results suggested that the effect of AFM against CCl₄-induced liver damage was related to antioxidant properties.