THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT FROM SMILAX EXCELSA L. AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Abstract

Background: Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the pathogenesis of various acute and chronic liver diseases, dietary antioxidants and drugs from herbal origins have been proved to be beneficial as therapeutic agents in reversing hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of an aqueous extract from Smilax excelsa L. Shoots and leaves against acute CCl4-induced liver injury as well as the changes in antioxidative defense system in female wistar albino rats.