The Effect of Agrimonia eupatoria Leaf Hydroalcoholic Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Toxicity in Male Rats

Background and Objective: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a toxic agent leading to hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Agrimonia eupatoria leaf hydroalcoholic extract (AEE) on carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver. Materials and Methods: In this study, 42 male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups: the control group receiving normal saline, 2ml/kg, ip and the sham group receiving olive oil, 2ml/kg, ip, the CCl4 induced group receiving carbon tetrachloride/olive oil (1:1), 2ml/kg, single dose, ip. The treated groups (1, 2 and 3) were induced by carbon tetrachloride 1:1 with olive oil, 2ml/kg, single dose, ip and after two hours underwent treatment by 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg AEE/day for 96 hrs, ip. Then, the blood samples were collected from their heart directly and subsequently serum levels of the liver enzymes were measured. The microscopic studies of liver tissue were performed. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The results of this study showed that the serum levels of liver enzymes significantly increased in the group receiving CCl4 compared to the control group. Meanwhile, treatment by AEE significantly decreased the serum levels of liver enzymes in treated groups compared to the group receiving CCl4 (P<0.001). Histological study revealed necrosis and inflammation in the liver tissue in CCl4 group and reduction in necrotic cells and inflammation in AEE treated group. Conclusion: Carbon tetrachloride can bring about necrosis and inflammation effects on the liver tissue. AEE can decrease toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride in the liver tissue by reducing the serum levels of liver enzymes.