Hepatoprotective and hematoprotective effects of Falcaria vulgaris aqueous extract against CCl4-induced hepatic injury in mice

Medicinal plants are considered as modern resources for producing agents that could act as alternatives to chemical drugs. Falcaria vulgaris (FV) has been used in medicine as an antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and hematoprotective effects of FV aqueous extract against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Sixty male mice were divided into six groups (n = 10); group I served as control, received 1 mL/kg olive oil intraperitoneally and 0.5 mL distilled water through gavage. Group II served as untreated group, received 1 mg/kg CCl4 mixed with olive oil in the ratio of 5:5 intraperitoneally and 0.5 mL distilled water orally. Groups III, IV, V, and VI received CCl4 mixed with olive oil in the ratio of 5:5 intraperitoneally and 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg of FV aqueous extract through gavage for 45 consecutive days. Different doses of FV (especially FV160) could significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decrease the raised levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, white blood cell, and platelet and increase high-density lipoprotein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and red blood cell as compared to the untreated group. The weight and volume of the hepatic structures were decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in different doses of FV (especially FV160) compared to the untreated group. FV aqueous extract can protect hepatic tissue and regulate liver enzymes in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. FV has hepatoprotective and hematoprotective properties, thereby reducing the causation of diabetes in experimental mice. © 2018, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.