Hepatoprotective Activity of Caspian Saffron (Crocus caspius Fisch and Mey) Flowers against CCl4- Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice
<strong>Background and objectives</strong><em>: </em>Free radicals and other oxidants have important roles in liver cell toxicity. Some natural products are potent scavengers of oxidative agents. <em>Crocus caspius</em> is an endemic species of Caspian forest. Flo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Research Journal of Pharmacognosy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_89458_f8e2daca49a5f7516cf2cace072e7431.pdf |
| Summary: | <strong>Background and objectives</strong><em>: </em>Free radicals and other oxidants have important roles in liver cell toxicity. Some natural products are potent scavengers of oxidative agents. <em>Crocus caspius</em> is an endemic species of Caspian forest. Flowers of Crocus genus contain phenolic compound and carotenoid as antioxidant agent. This study investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of <em>Crocus caspius</em> Fisch and Mey flowers (Caspian saffron) hydro-alcoholic extract (CCFE) against acute oxidative hepatotoxicity induced by CCl<sub>4</sub> in mice. <strong>Methods:</strong> The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. <em>Crocus caspius</em> flowers were investigated for presence of certain phytochemicals and total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined. For evaluation of hepatoprotective activity, the BALB/c mice were pre-treated with 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg, of the extract intraperitoneally for 5 days and then received CCl<sub>4</sub> (0.5 mL/kg, in olive oil). Liver injury was determined by serum biochemical markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione content of liver tissue and histopathological studies. <strong>Results:</strong> The phytochemical screening in Caspian saffron flowers indicated the presence of carotenoids, saponins, sterols, flavonoids, and tannins. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay (IC<sub>50</sub> 171.5 µg/mL). Pre-treatment groups with the extract demonstrated significant decrease in serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP (p<0.05) and concomitant increase in GSH content (p<0.05). Histopathological observation determined hepatocellular protective effects of the extract. <strong>Conclusion</strong><em>: </em>The results represented the protective activity of the extract against oxidative hepatotoxicity. |
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| ISSN: | 2345-4458 2345-5977 |