Abstract
The effect of Cimicifuga heracleifolia on CC1$_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. Cimicifuga heracleifolia has been used to diaphoresis, antipyretics and detoxification in oriental remedy. We examined the effect of Cimicifuga heracleifolia methanol extract by blood chemical analysis and histopathologic examination. ALT and AST were decreased by 38% and 67% in pretreatment group of Cimicifuga heracleifolia compared to CC1$_4$control group respectively. There were significant changes neither in total protein, albumin, triglyceride and cholesterol nor in BUN and creatinine. In histopathologic examination, there were severe necrosis and hemorrhage with infiltration of inflammatory cells around the central vein, zone 3 in the liver of CC1$_4$ treated rat. Ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes were frequently noted in the periphery of the hemorrhagic necrosis. In Cimicifuga heracleifolia pretreatment group, we observed mild degree of ballooning degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. No gross necrosis was observed. We measured malondialdehyde (MDA) formation by TBA method. It showed that the formation of MDA in Cimicifuga heracleifolia pretreatment group was decreased compared to the $CCl_4$control group. We got the result of the effect of Cimicifuga heracleifolia on CC1$_4$-induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing serum ALT and AST. It seems that the decrease of lipid peroxidation is related to the recovery effect.
