Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of Aloe vera, Clematis hirsute, Cucumis prophetarum and Bee Propolis against experimentally induced liver injury in rats

In a project to search for new natural hepatroprotective agents 3 plant extracts; Aloe vera, Clematis hirsute and Cucumis prophetarum, in addition to Bee Propolis were studied. The ethanol extracts of the 3 plants and propolis were subjected to hepatoprotective assay using Wistar albino rats. Liver injury induced in rats using carbon tetrachloride. The biochemical parameters; serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin were estimated as reflection of the liver condition. Based on the good results of the biochemical parameters measurements, histopathological study was performed on the liver of rats treated with Propolis and Aloe vera. The livers of rats treated with Propolis showed good protection against the toxic effect of carbon tetrachloride. On the other hand treatment with Aloe vera extract failed to restore the normal appearance of hepatocytes. All the results were compared with silymarin, as a reference hepatoprotective drug.