Context: Different parts of the walnut [Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae)] have been used in folk medicine for protection against liver injury, although its actual efficacy remains uncertain. Objective: The present study investigated the protective effect of walnut leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver damage in rats. Materials and methods: The rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control, CCl 4 (i.p., 0.5 mL/kg b.w., 50% CCl 4 in olive oil), walnut extract (at dose level of 0.2 g/kg b.w.) alone, walnut extract (at dose levels of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg b.w.) with CCl 4 , and treatment was carried out accordingly. On the 28th day, rats were sacrificed and blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture. Liver damage was assessed by serum biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and albumin), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and histopathological observation. Results: Administration of walnut leaf extract (ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 g/kg b.w.) significantly lowered serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in CCl 4 -treated rats. Walnut leaf extract increased antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase. Histopathological examination of livers showed that walnut leaves extract reduced fatty degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis in CCl 4 -treated rats. Discussion and conclusion: These results suggest that walnut extract has a protective effect over CCl 4 -induced oxidative damage in rat liver. These results demonstrate that walnut extract acts as a good hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent in attenuating hepatocellular damage.

Context: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae) has been traditionally used in folk medicine to afford protection against liver injury, although its actual efficacy remains uncertain. Objective: To evaluate purslane as a hepatoprotective agent, we investigated the protective effect of its ethanol extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Materials and methods: A total of 108 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. The first group was maintained as normal control, whereas CCl 4 (0.5 ml/kg bw, 50% CCl 4 in olive oil, i.p.), purslane extract (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/kg bw, intragastrically), and purslane extract (five doses as above) along with CCl 4 were administered to the Groups II, III-VII, and VIII-XII, respectively. The rats were sacrificed on the 30th day, and blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture. Liver damage was assessed by measuring hepatic marker enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, and SOD) and histopathological observation. Results: Treatment with CCl 4 resulted in increased serum activities of marker enzymes with a concomitant decrease in SOD. Histological alterations were also observed in the liver tissue upon CCl 4 treatment. Administration of purslane extract (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/kg b.w.) significantly showed a marked tendency towards normalization of all measured biochemical parameters in CCl 4 -treated rats. Histopathological changes also paralleled the detected alteration in markers of liver function. Discussion and conclusion: These results demonstrate that purslane exerts protective effects against CCl 4 -induced damage in rat liver and supports a potential therapeutic use of purslane as an alternative for patients with liver diseases.

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Background: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Fabaceae) is a well-known herb that it used in traditional medicine due to pharmacological activities. Licorice in herbal medicine is used as a tonic, expectorant and demulcent factor. This plant has antioxidant, immunostimulant, anti-allergenic and anti-ulcer activities. The aim of present study was to, comparisons of effect of ethanol extracts licorice root with glibenclamide on activity of liver enzymes in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In the present study, oral administration of licorice extract (50, 200 and 400 mg/kg per body wt.) and glibenclamide (600 µg/kg) were performed as the standard antidiabetic medicine, during 30 days. Then, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in normal and diabetic rats were evaluated. Data were analyzed by using SPSS-10 software and the ANOVA test was used. Results: Oral administrations of licorice extract significantly decreased activity of AST and ALT in serum of diabetic rats but not in normal rats. The licorice extract as same as glibenclamide significantly decreased activity of liver enzymes. Conclusion: It is concluded that the licorice can be considered as a suitable candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.