Protective effect of Helianthus annuus seeds extract against CCl4-induced hepatocellular damage

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a hepatotoxin that causes toxicity in animals on its exposure. Hepatotoxins lead to hepatic demage that is treated by generating antioxidant effect. Synthetic and as well as natural drugs are available for this purpose but phyto-based herbal medicines got paramount importance against drug induced hepatotoxicity Current research was conducted to inspect the protective effect of aqueous extract of Helianthus annuus seeds pre-treatment on the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Balb C mice. Study covered the valuation of  the enzymatic activity such as alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and other biochemical components like bilirubin, total protein, catalase, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde bis-(dimethyl acetal) tetra ammonium (MDA). The induction of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) caused rise in plasma ALAT, ASAT, ALP and LDH. Helianthus annuus seeds extract (HA extract) pre-treatment obliterated CCl₄-induced deviations in the activities of these enzymes significantly. Bilirubin level increased whereas total protein contents decreased after the induction of CCl₄ this effect was reversed by HA extract. Induction of CCl₄ caused increased in MDA level while decrease in GSH and catalase. Helianthus annuus seeds extract also abolished these changes. Helianthus annuus seeds extract pre-treatment also prevented CCl₄-induced changes in bilirubin and total protein contents. Carbon tetrachloride treatment resulted in huge hepatic damage. This was prevented by Helianthus annuus seeds extract. These results show that Helianthus annuus seeds extract pre-treatment prevented the mice from CCl₄-induced hepatic damage, which visibly shows its defensive effects against hepatic damage.