The protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Dried flower Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HSE) extracts, a local soft drink material and medicinal herb, were studied for their protective effects against liver fibrosis induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Male Wistar rats were administered CCl4 by intraperitoneal injection for 7 weeks and received a normal diet or normal diet with various HSE doses (1–5%) for 9 weeks. HSE significantly reduced the liver damage including steatosis and fibrosis in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, HSE significantly decreased the elevation in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). It also restored the decrease in glutathione content and inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidative products during CCl4 treatment. In the primary culture, HSE also significantly inhibited the activation of the hepatic stellate cells. These results suggested that HSE may protect the liver against CCl4-induced fibrosis. This protective effect appears due to HSEs antioxidant properties.