Protective effect of a natural herb (Rosmarinus officinalis) against hepatotoxicity in male albino rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to study the chemoprotective effect of Egyptian rosemary extract (RE) against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. Eight experimental groups were used as follow: (1) control; (2&3) RE alone (440 mg/kgb.w) for 4 and 8 weeks, respectively; (4) CCl₄ (1ml/kg b.w, twice a week, i.p) for 4 weeks; (5&7) RE (220&440 mg/kg) for 4 weeks before CCl₄ for a similar period; and (6&8) RE (220&440 mg/kg) for four weeks before CCl₄ in combination with RE another four weeks. The sequential CCl₄ treatment induced significant changes in serum biochemical parameters accompanied by sever histological and histochemical changes of the liver tissue, while administration of 440 mg/kg/day for either 4 or 8 weeks did not induce any changes. Administration of RE before or during the treatment with CCl₄ improved all biochemical parameters and histological picture of the liver, in a dose and duration-dependant manner. It could be concluded that RE has a protective effects against hepatotoxicity.