Hepatoprotective Effect of Commercial Herbal Extracts on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Rats

Background : Various hepatoprotective herbal products from plants are available in Mexico, where up to 85% of patients with liver disease use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. However, only few studies have reported on the biological evaluation of these products. Objective : Using a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ )-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, we evaluated the effects of commercial herbal extracts used most commonly in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. Materials and Methods : The commercial products were identified through surveys in public areas. The effect of these products given with or without CCl₄ in rats was evaluated by measuring the serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), and histopathological analysis. Legalon^® was used as the standard drug. Results : The most commonly used herbal products were Hepatisan^® capsules, Boldo capsules, Hepavida^® capsules, Boldo infusion, and milk thistle herbal supplement (80% silymarin). None of the products tested was hepatotoxic according to transaminase and histological analyses. AST and ALT activities were significantly lower in the Hepavida+CCl₄ -treated group as compared with the CCl₄ -only group. AST and ALT activities in the silymarin, Hepatisan, and Boldo tea groups were similar to those in the CCl₄ group. The CCl₄ group displayed submassive confluent necrosis and mixed inflammatory infiltration. Both the Hepatisan+CCl₄ and Boldo tea+CCl₄ groups exhibited ballooning degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and lytic necrosis. The silymarin+CCl₄ group exhibited microvesicular steatosis. The Hepavida+CCl₄ - and Legalon+CCL₄ -treated groups had lower percentages of necrotic cells as compared with the CCl₄ -treated group; this treatment was hepatoprotective against necrosis. Conclusion : Only Hepavida had a hepatoprotective effect.