HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PROPOLIS EXTRACT ON PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER-DAMAGE IN MICE

The effects of propolis extract were studied in a model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by a high oral dose (600 mg/kg) of paracetamol in mice. Propolis at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. decreased significantly the activity of alanine aminotransferase in serum, which was increased by paracetamol alone and increased the concentration of reduced glutathione in mouse liver, which is depleted by paracetamol. Propolis extract also reduced liver damage induced by paracetamol in mice, which was observed by optical and electron microscopy. The hepatoprotective effects of propolis were produced when administered 30 min before paracetamol or 2 h after it. It is concluded that propolis exerts some effects which resemble those of N-acetylcysteine, the well-known antidote of paracetamol.