Protective effects of Coriandrum sativum extracts on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver injuries. The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Coriandrum sativum on CCl4 treated oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. CCl4 injection induced oxidative stress by a significant rise in serum marker enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with the reduction of antioxidant enzymes. In serum, the activities of enzymes like ALP, ACP and protein and bilirubin were evaluated. Pretreatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly lowered SGOT, SGPT and TBARS levels against CCl4 treated rats. Hepatic enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx were significantly increased by treatment with plant extract, against CCl4 treated rats. Histopathological examinations showed extensive liver injuries, characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration/necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and sinusoidal dilatation. Oral administration of the leaf extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the toxic effects of CCl4. The activity of leaf extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin. Based on these results, it was observed that C. sativum extract protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl4 and thus helps in evaluation of traditional claim on this plant.