OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the potential efficacy of
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Linn. (Fabaceae) in protecting tissues from peroxidative damage in CCl
4-intoxicated rats.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Peroxidative hepatic damage in rats was studied by assessing parameters such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD), superoxidedismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-
S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) in liver and kidneys. The effect of co-administration of
G. glabra on the above parameters and histopathological findings of the liver in experimental animals was studied.
RESULTS:
The increased lipid peroxide formation in the tissues of CCl
4-treated rats was significantly inhibited by
G. glabra. The observed decreased antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GST, and antioxidant concentration of glutathione were nearly normalized by
G. glabra treatment. Carbon tetrachloride-induced damage produces alteration in the antioxidant status of the tissues, which is manifested by abnormal histopathology.
G. glabra restored all these changes.
CONCLUSION:
Glycyrrhiza glabra is a potential antioxidant and attenuates the hepatotoxic effect of CCl
4.
