Investigation of liver protective effects of matricaria chamomilla l. on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride

Hepatitis which is occured with the result of damage viral, metabolic, a pharmacological agent or an immunological attack in liver and cirrhosis wich is depended on chronic alcohol comsumption, obesity and diabetes are frequent diseases and affect lots of people. CCl4 causes not only acute damage but also chronic damagedeveloping to the cirrhosis. Experimental CCl4 damage is very similar to human liver damage. It is known that CCl4 causes oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and this causes to spoilt to equilibrate between antioxidants and oxidants to oxidants.It was investigated in this experimental study how protective Matricaria chamomilla L., was against CCI4 which causes oxidative stress in rats and causes toxic effects in the liver with chronic use.Thirty-five, 3-month-old male Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats, 7 in each group, were divided in five groups. The rats in the control group were fed with standart food for 14 days. The rats in the CCl4 group were received 0,8 mg/kg CCl4 intraperitonealy for 14 days. Rats in the ohter groups were received 0,8 mg/kg CCl4 (i.p.) and given respectively 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg Matricaria chamomilla L. extract orally by gavage for 14 days. At the beginning and end of the study, weights of rats were measured. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained from the animals under ether anesthesia by using appropriate techniqeus. AST and ALT activities were measured in the blood serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) which is sign of lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in whole blood; antioxidant enzymes Superoksid Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) activities which are showed antioxidant specialties were measured in erythrocyte.It was determined that AST ve ALT activities of blood serum were significantly higher (p<0.001) compared with control group. Matricaria chamomilla L. decreased MDA values and increased GSH levels. Highest levels of GSH were detected (p<0.01) in group which received 200 mg/kg MCE extract. Matricaria chamomilla L. increased SOD and GPx activities as significantly. Catalase activities were significantly decreased in CCI4 (p<0.001), 50 mg/kg MCE extract received group (p<0.001), 100 and 200 mg/kg MCE groups (p<0.01).It was concluded that Matricaria chamomilla L., decreased the liver damage and oxidative stress induced by CCI4 in a dose dependent manner. It is considered that Matricaria chamomilla L. might be used as auxiliary for the clinical treatment of liver diseases.