Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: Evaluation ofprotective effectsof Ephedra pachyclada on carbon tetrachloride- induced acuteliverinjury.
Material and method: In this study,initially wedesignedan experiment to achievea standardanimalmodel, in which 30mice were divided into three control, sham andmodelgroups. In themodel group the animal received2ml/kgcarbon tetrachloride50 %( 1:1 in sterile olive oil)intraperitoneally. 72 hourslater,bloodand liversamples were collected and analyzed using biochemicalas well ashistologicalstudies. Afterensuring theeffectiveness of the modelinduction, in the secondtrial, 40 micewere divided into4 groups including controlandthreeexperimentalgroups. Induction ofacuteliverinjury was performedsame asprevious on experimentalgroups, whichtwoofthemweretreatedwith Ephedra pachycladaextract(140, 1400 mg / kg) daily. Bloodand liversampleswere collected96 hafter carbon tetrachloride injection then serumactivity of Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Aspartateamino transferase (AST) andnecrosisas well asinflammationin the liverwere studied.
Result: Treatmentwith Ephedra pachycladaextract significantly decreased the activity of ALTandAST in the serum as well as thenecrosisandinflammation in liver tissue. In addition the survival rate was increased in the animal receivingcarbon tetrachloride.
Conclusion: Results of this researchsuggestthat Ephedra pachycladaprotects the liver against acute liver injuryinduced by carbon tetrachloridethroughinhibition ofoxidative stressandsuppressing theinflammation.