Resveratrol ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

Present investigation aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of resveratrol (30 mg/kg, po) in mice following two different routes (po, and sc) of exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 1.0 ml/kg). Administration of CCl4 caused significant increase in the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase. gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, creatinine kinase, total bilirubin, urea and uric acid in serum. Significantly enhanced hepatic lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione with marked depletion in reduced glutathione were observed after CCl4 intoxication. It was also found that CCl4 administration caused severe alterations in liver histology. Hepatic injury was more severe in those animals who received CCl4 by oral route than those who exposed to CCl4 subcutaneously. Resveratrol treatment was able to mitigate hepatic damage induced by acute intoxication of CCl4 and showed pronounced curative effect against lipid peroxidation and deviated serum enzymatic variables as well as maintained glutathione status toward control. Treatment of resveratrol lessened CCl4 induced damage in liver. The results of the present study suggest that resveratrol has potential to exert curative effects against liver injury. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.