Hepatoprotective Effect of Microemulsion-Based System of <i>Prunus Cerasus</i> Kernel Extract on CCL₄-induced Liver Damage in Mice

Abstract

Background: Liver diseases are among the public health concerns that significantly contribute to the global burden of mortality and illness. Herbal medicines are always used to treat a great number of diseases such as hepatotoxicity worldwide. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective activity of microemulsion (ME)-based system Prunus cerasus kernel extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced hepatic injury in mice. Methods: In the current experimental study, 56 male Swiss albino mice (weighed 25 - 30 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups. The plant extract was administered orally in mice in doses of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% with or without CCL4 for 10 days and then, their blood and liver were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses, respectively. Results: The findings of the current study revealed that the increased serum enzymes activity and various pathological changes in mice received CCL4 were significantly affected by the hepatoprotective activity of Prunus cerasus kernel extract in the groups treated with 2.5% ME, 5% ME and 1000 mg/kg non-ME. Conclusions: In the current experimental conditions, 5% ME extract and 1000 mg/kg non-ME extract had almost similar hepatoprotective effects on CCL4-induced liver injury.