Efficacy of the steroidal fraction of fenugreek seed extract on fertility of male albino rats

T. foenum-graecum seed extract (100 mg/day/rat) was fed orally to male albino rats for 60 days. The sperm count and motility of cauda spermatozoa declined significantly leading to negative fertility tests. The organ weights as well as androgen dependent parameters (protein, sialic acid and fructose) were lower, revealing the reduction in circulating androgen. Cholesterol is a precursor of androgen. The increase in testicular and serum cholesterol may be co-related with its nonutilization by the system, leading to a fall in circulating androgen and hence the altered histoarchitecture observed. Therefore T. foenum-graecum extract exerts both antifertility and antiandrogenic activities.     

欧蓍草花水提物减轻环磷酰胺对大鼠睾丸毒性的体视学研究(英文)

Cyclophosphamide(CP) is extensively used for the treatment of various cancers,as well as an immunosuppressive agent.However,CP is known to cause several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity.Achillea millefolium,a widely distributed medicinal plant,is highly regarded for its medicinal activities,including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.The present study was conducted to assess whether Achillea millefolium inflorescences aqueous extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities could serve as a protective agent against reproductive toxicity during CP treatment.Male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups.Two groups of rats were administered CP at a dose of 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 28 d by oral gavages.One of these groups received Achillea aqueous extract at a dose of 1.2 g·kg-1·d-1 orally 4 h after cyclophosphamide administration.A vehicle treated control group and an Achillea control group were also included.The CP-treated group showed significant decreases in the body,testes and epidi-dymides weights as well as many histological alterations.Stereological parameters,spermatogenic activities and testicular antioxidant capacity along with epididymal sperm count and serum testosterone concentration were also significantly decreased by CP treatment.Notably,Achillea co-administration caused a partial recovery in above-mentioned parameters.These findings indicate that Achillea millefolium inflorescence aqueous extract may be partially protective against CP-induced testicular toxicity.     

Momordica charantia fruit extract with antioxidant capacity improves the expression of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in epididymal fluid of chronic stress rats

Objective: Although the protective effects of Momordica charantia L.(MC) extract on chemical-induced testicular damage have been studied, the preventive effects of MC extract on functional proteins in the epididymis under chronic stress have never been reported. This study investigated the protective effects of MC fruit extract on protein secretion, especially tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, in the epididymis of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress(CUS).Methods: Total phenolic compound...     

Contraceptive efficacy of Carica papaya seed extract in male mice (Mus musculus)

The effects of an aqueous extract of Carica papaya seeds (20 mg/kg body weight/animal/day orally and 5 mg/kg body weight/animal/day i.m. for 60 days) were investigated for contraceptive efficacy and other related side effects in male albino mice, Mus musculus. The data revealed that the extract might be causing an androgen deprived effect to target organs resulting in alterations in the internal milieu of the cauda epididymis especially. The treatment did not, however, affect the testicular sperm count suggesting that it acted at the post-testicular level which lead to a reduction of cauda epididymal sperm motility and thus the treatment brought about a significant reduction in fertility rate. The induced effects were transient and reversible upon withdrawal of the treatment, elucidating that functional sterility could be induced by the aqueous papaya seed extract in rodents.     

维药芜菁籽多糖体外抗氧化活性研究

目的：通过体外清除自由基试验初步研究芜菁籽多糖的抗氧化活性。方法：采用脱脂,水提,除蛋白,脱色,醇沉等方法提取多糖。利用4种常见的体外抗氧化活性测试方法,即清除DPPH·自由基,羟自由基,超氧阴离子自由基以及总还原能力等来衡量芜菁籽多糖的抗氧化能力,并与维生素C（Vc）进行对照。结果：芜菁籽多糖提取率为2.34%,并具有一定的抗氧化活性,抗氧化能力与浓度之间有很好的量效关系,浓度越大,抗氧化活性越强。其中芜菁籽多糖的总还原能力较强,清除超氧阴离子自由基的能力较弱。结论：芜菁籽多糖具有天然抗氧化能力,在以芜菁籽为原料开发多糖类功能食品方面有较现实的实际意义。     

大豆异黄酮对醋酸铅致小鼠睾丸组织损伤的影响

目的研究大豆异黄酮对醋酸铅致雄性小鼠生殖系统损伤的保护作用及作用机制。方法采用ip醋酸铅(20 mg/kg)连续7 d的方法制备雄性小鼠生殖系统损伤模型,造模第2天开始,大豆异黄酮低、中、高剂量(150、300、600 mg/kg)组分别ig给药,连续30 d。检测雄性小鼠的睾丸指数、精子密度、精子畸变率,血清中NO的量,睾丸组织中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和丙二醛(MDA)的量及Na+,K+-ATP酶及Ca2+-ATP酶活性等指标,并观察睾丸、附睾组织的病理改变。结果与模型组比较,大豆异黄酮中、高剂量组的睾丸指数、精子密度增加,精子畸变率降低(P<0.05、0.01),睾丸组织中Na+,K+-ATP酶和Ca2+-ATP酶活性增强(P<0.05、0.01),血清中NO的量降低(P<0.05、0.01);大豆异黄酮低、中、高剂量组睾丸组织中MDA的量降低(P<0.05、0.01),高剂量可提高睾丸组织中LDH的活性(P<0.05)。病理观察可见,模型组睾丸组织生精上皮明显变薄,生精细胞层次和数量减少,多数生精小管腔未见精子形成,附睾液内未见精子,可见大量圆细胞,而大豆异黄酮可改善醋酸铅所致生精细胞的损伤。结论大豆异黄酮对醋酸铅致小鼠睾丸组织损伤有一定保护作用,作用机制与抗氧化及降低NO的量有关。     

蚊子草抗氧化物提取工艺优选及抗氧化活性考察

目的:优选蚊子草抗氧化物的提取工艺并测定抗氧化提取物及其纯化物的抗氧化活性.方法:以总黄酮和总酚酸含量为指标,采用正交试验法优选蚊子草抗氧化物的提取工艺;采用DPPH法研究抗氧化提取物及其纯化物的体外抗氧化活性.结果:最佳提取工艺为10倍量65％乙醇加热回流提取3次,每次2.0h;抗氧化提取物及其纯化物的DPPH自由基清除率分别约为70％,90％.结论:优选的提取工艺稳定、可靠;蚊子草抗氧化物及其纯化物具有较强的体外抗氧化活性.     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. leaves in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. have been utilized traditionally for the cure of diabetes.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to assess the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of T. asiatica leaves in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, HPLC analysis, acute toxicity study and oral glucose tolerance test were carried out. Glucose lowering effect of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of T. asiatica leaves was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were studied for the ethyl acetate extract. The effects of extracts on blood glucose, body weight, plasma insulin, total protein, liver glycogen, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were analyzed.

Results

T. asiatica leaves ethyl acetate extract (TALEe) showed highly significant blood glucose lowering effect. Phytochemical evaluation of TALEe showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, cumarins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of TALEe was 126 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flindersine and ulopterol. Acute toxicity study of TALEe revealed no death or toxicity. The oral glucose tolerance test showed lowered area under curve (AUC_glucose) values in TALEe treated rats. After treatment with TALEe (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 28 days there was a significant decrease in blood glucose, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and significant increase in body weight, total protein, serum insulin and liver glycogen levels in treated diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx were reversed to near normal in treated diabetic rats. Histopathology of pancreas in TALEe treated groups showed regeneration of β-cells.

Conclusion

The results of the experiments showed that TALEe exerted significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats justifying its traditional use.     

Dietary Phenolic Acids of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Horse Gram) Protect the Rat Heart Against Isoproterenol‐Induced Myocardial Infarction

The present study investigates the cardioprotective activity of the Macrotyloma uniflorum seed extract (MUSE) and its phenolic acids (p‐coumaric acid and ferulic acid) in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial infarction in rats. The previously mentioned phenolic acids were isolated and quantified from MUSE by HPLC. Pretreatment of gemfibrozil (reference standard), MUSE (250 and 500 mg/kg) and the phenolic acids for 30 days to rats treated with ISO (85 mg/kg) on the last 2 days resulted in a significant attenuation of the ISO‐elevated levels of serum marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase MB), total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, C‐reactive protein and malondialdehyde and a restoration of the levels of the ISO‐depleted marker enzymes, reduced glutathione and the antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in heart. Restoration of the ISO‐altered electrocardiogram pattern and haemodynamic parameters (left ventricular end diastolic pressure, heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure) was also brought about by treatment with MUSE and the phenolic acids. It may be concluded that MUSE treatment to ISO‐challenged rats exhibits a significant cardioprotective effect probably because of the potent antioxidant activity of its phenolic acids that salvage the myocardium from the deleterious effects of ISO. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

匙羹藤果水提液降血糖作用及其作用机制

目的:研究匙羹藤果水提液的降血糖作用,并探讨其相关的作用机制。方法:采用改良寇氏法对急性毒性进行研究,以四氧嘧啶致高血糖的糖尿病小鼠和大鼠为模型,以二甲双胍作为阳性药,以葡萄糖过氧化物酶法(GOD-POD)测定小鼠和大鼠血糖,观察匙羹果水提液高、中、低剂量组的降血糖作用,分别按照SOD活性试剂盒,总胆固醇试剂盒(COD-CE-PAP法),甘油三酯试剂盒(GPO-PAP法)检测法,GOD-POD法测定高血糖小鼠用药前后的SOD活性,高血糖大鼠给药前后总胆固醇、甘油三酯,正常小鼠糖耐量等指标,比较用药前后高血糖大鼠胰胰腺组织的病理状态,探讨匙羹藤果水提液降血糖的作用机制。结果:匙羹藤果水提液的半数致死浓度(LD50)为66.65 g·kg~(-1),水提液能明显降低四氧嘧啶致高血糖小鼠和大鼠血糖,与正常组比较,模型组的血糖有显著性差异(P0.01);与模型组比较,各给药组的血糖有显著性差异(P0.01),提高糖尿病小鼠SOD活性,降低糖尿病大鼠甘油三酯,修复糖尿病大鼠的胰腺和增加其胰岛数量,同时不影响正常小鼠的糖代谢。结论:匙羹藤果水提液具有较好的降血糖作用,其作用机制与提高机体的抗氧化能力、调节脂代谢和糖代谢有关,为明确匙羹藤果降血糖的药效物质基础提供了科学依据。     

Cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity: Beneficial effects of Helichrysum odoratissimum (Asteraceae) in male Wistar rats

ObjectiveCyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.MethodsIn addition to a normal control (group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups (n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP (5 mg/[kg·d], per oral administration); group 2 received CP + distilled water (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80 (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate (0.25 mg/[kg·d]); groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated.ResultsThe CP-treated group showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated (P < 0.001) sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group. Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts. For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count (P < 0.001), sperm motility (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes.ConclusionH. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.     

锦灯笼果实提取工艺优选及抗氧化活性考察

目的：优选锦灯笼果实的提取工艺并考察提取物的体外抗氧化活性。方法：以总黄酮、总酚酸提取量为指标,通过单因素试验和正交试验考察乙醇体积分数、提取时间及料液比对锦灯笼果实醇提工艺的影响,考察提取物对ABTS自由基的清除能力。结果：最佳提取工艺为加20倍量85%乙醇提取2次,每次0.5 h;总黄酮和总酚酸平均提取量分别为0.618,1.152 mg·g^-1,RSD依次为1.66%,1.19%。结论：结合药效学试验筛选的提取工艺更加科学合理,锦灯笼果实具有一定的体外抗氧化能力。     

甘草地上部分的安全性评价

目的:评价甘草地上部分的毒理学安全性,为合理利用甘草地上部分资源提供依据。方法:采用急性经口毒性实验、小鼠骨髓细胞微核实验、小鼠精子畸形实验以及基于炎症模型的安全性实验的方法,并对实验结果进行统计分析与判定。结果:甘草地上部分水提物和醇提物对小鼠的最大耐受剂量(MTD)分别为96,128 g·kg~(-1),醇提物大孔树脂富集产物对小鼠有伤害且表现出性别差异。骨髓细胞微核实验甘草地上部分水提物低、中、高剂量(8,16,32 g·kg~(-1))组和正常组的微核率分别为0. 28%,0. 34%,0. 26%,0. 22%(雌性)和0. 32%,0. 30%,0. 36%,0. 28%(雄性);小鼠精子畸形实验甘草地上部分低、中、高剂量(8,16,32 g·kg~(-1))组和正常组的精子畸形率分别为3. 16%,3. 01%,2. 67%,3. 23%;微核率和精子畸形率与正常组比较无明显增加; 30 d重复灌胃水提物和醇提物对模型大鼠的一般情况无影响,其中,与正常组比较,甘草地上部分醇提组心脏质量显著降低(P 0. 05),肝脏质量、肝脏指数和肾脏指数明显升高(P 0. 05);水提组与醇提组的球蛋白与血肌酐明显升高(P 0. 05),个别大鼠氨基转移酶异常;解剖学考察发现4例肉眼可见的肝病变,其中甘草地上部分水提组3例,甘草地上部分醇提组1例,组织病理学检查发现肝细胞变性与组织炎症,与出现生化指标与脏器指数异常的大鼠一致。结论:甘草地上部分水提物、醇提物具有潜在毒性,水提物未显示对小鼠有遗传毒性,其安全性尚需进一步研究。     

蛇床子不同溶剂提取物抗氧化活性研究

目的: 研究蛇床子不同溶剂提取物的抗氧化活性。方法: 采用索氏提取法得到蛇床子甲醇、乙酸乙酯、二氯甲烷和正己烷提取物,并测定了4种提取物总酚、总黄酮含量。通过测定提取物对二苯代苦味酰基(DPPH)自由基、2,2'连氨-双-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二胺盐(ABTS)自由基的清除能力和还原能力来研究其抗氧化能力。结果: 蛇床子不同溶剂提取物均具有良好的抗氧化活性,其中甲醇提取物抗氧化能力最强;抗氧化性能与提取物总酚和总黄酮含量存在着明显的量效关系。结论: 蛇床子提取物具有作为天然抗氧化剂的开发潜能。     

Hepatic,testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Garcinia kola seed is commonly used in African Traditional Medicine as a remedy for liver disorders, hepatitis, bronchitis, throat infections as well as an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing substance. Owing to the abundance of complex mixture of phenolic compounds in Garcinia kola seed, there is a growing safety concern on its long-term use in folklore medicine. The present study evaluated the hepatic, testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed.

Materials and methods

Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 rats each and were orally administered with Garcinia kola at 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 6consecutive weeks. Clinical observations, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress biomarkers, spermatozoa parameters and histopathological examination of the organs were assessed to monitor treatment-related adverse effects inrats.

Results

Long-term treatment of Garcinia kola had no adverse effect on the spermatozoa characteristics but significantly elevated testosterone concentration when compared to the control group. Improvement of antioxidant systems was accompanied by a significant decrease in malondialdehyde level in the liver, testes and spermatozoa of Garcinia kola-treated rats. Histological observation revealed that chronic administration of Garcinia kola had no effect on the liver and testes at all doses when compared with control.

Conclusion

Garcinia kola seed boosts the antioxidant status and exhibits no adverse effect on the liver, testes and spermatozoa after a long-term oral exposure inrats.     

甘遂醋炙对正常及癌性腹水模型大鼠毒性的影响

目的:考察甘遂醋炙前后对正常及癌性腹水模型大鼠毒性的差异。方法:以正常及癌性腹水模型大鼠为研究对象,分组后连续7 d灌胃生、醋甘遂粉末及其提取物,各给药组按0.34 mg·g-1灌胃,空白组与模型组给予0.5%羧甲基纤维素钠。考察给药后对大鼠肝、胃、肠组织病理形态学、血清肝功能指标、氧化损伤指标的影响。结果:与空白组比较,各正常给药组大鼠肝、胃、肠组织均出现显著损伤,血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST),丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力显著升高,谷胱甘肽(GSH)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量显著降低,丙二醛(MDA)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量显著升高;其中生甘遂粉末作用最为显著,醋甘遂该作用显著降低。与模型组比较,各模型给药组大鼠组织损伤有所减轻,血清AST,ALT,ALP活力显著降低,GSH和SOD含量显著升高,MDA和LDH含量显著降低;其中模型生、醋粉组功效最为显著,且两组间无显著性差异。结论:甘遂醋炙后对正常动物的毒性较生甘遂低;在模型动物上,生、醋甘遂均可显著缓解模型的损伤。     

The in-vivo assessment of Turkish propolis and its nano form on testicular damage induced by cisplatin

ObjectiveChemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin (CP), which are associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis, may adversely affect the reproductive system. This study tests whether administration of propolis and nano-propolis (NP) can alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats with testicular damage induced by CP.MethodsIn this study, polymeric nanoparticles including propolis were synthesized with a green sonication method and characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and wet scanning transmission electron microscopy techniques. In total, 56 rats were divided into the following seven groups: control, CP, propolis, NP-10, CP + propolis, CP + NP-10, and CP + NP-30. Propolis (100 mg/kg), NP-10 (10 mg/kg), and NP-30 (30 mg/kg) treatments were administered by gavage daily for 21 d, and CP (3 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in a single dose. After the experiment, oxidative stress parameters, namely, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), and apoptotic pathways including B cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured in testicular tissues. Furthermore, sperm quality and weights of the testis, epididymis, right cauda epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were evaluated.ResultsPropolis and NP (especially NP-30) were able to preserve oxidative balance (decreased MDA levels and increased GSH, CAT, and GPx activities) and activate apoptotic pathways (decreased Bax and increased Bcl-2) in the testes of CP-treated rats. Sperm motility in the control, CP, and CP + NP-30 groups were 60%, 48.75%, and 78%, respectively (P < 0.001). Especially, NP-30 application completely corrected the deterioration in sperm features induced by CP.ConclusionThe results show that propolis and NP treatments mitigated the side effects of CP on spermatogenic activity, antioxidant situation, and apoptosis in rats.     

Salvadora persica extract attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced hepatorenal damage by modulating oxidative stress,inflammation and apoptosis in rats

Objective: Salvadora persica(SP) is used as a food additive and is a common ingredient in folk medicine.This study investigates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and beneficial effects of SP against cyclophosphamide(CYP) toxicity in rats.Methods: In a 10-day study, 32 male rats were equally allocated into 4 groups(8 rats/group) as follows:the normal control(NC group), normal rats that only received oral aqueous extract of SP(100 mg/[kg·d];SP group), animals treated with intraperitoneal CYP inj...     

Beneficial effects of quercetin on sperm parameters in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic male rats

Quercetin (QR) is a strong antioxidant and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the long‐term treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes in animal models. Antioxidants have significant effects on spermatogenesis, sperm biology and oxidative stress, and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. The present study aims to examine the influence of QR on spermatogenesis in STZ‐induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. Animals (n = 50) were allocated into five groups: Group 1: Control rats given 0.5 ml of 20% glycerol in 0.9% normal saline. Group 2: Control rats given buffer (pH4.0).Group 3: diabetic controls. Group 4: rats given QR 15 mg/kg/day (i.p.). Group 5: STZ + QR rats. Animals were kept in standard conditions. At the end of the experiment (28th day), blood samples were taken for determination of testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, and levels of malondialdehyde and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein. All rats were euthanized, testes were dissected out and spermatozoa were collected from the epididymis for analysis. Sperm numbers, percentages of sperm viability and motility, and total serum testosterone increased significantly in QR‐treated diabetic rats (P < 0.05) compared with control groups. In histopathology, degeneration and inflammation in testes cells associated with diabetes were improved and testes weights in the QR‐treated diabetic group decreased significantly in comparison with controls (P < 0.05). We conclude that QR has significant beneficial effects on the sperm viability, motility, and serum total testosterone and could be effective for maintaining healthy sperm parameters and male reproductive function in diabetic rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Murdannia bracteata Methanol Extract

Murdannia bracteata (C. B. Clarke) is a local plant that is widely used in Malaysia as a traditional remedy for various diseases of the kidney and liver, including inflammation and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of M. bracteata methanol extract (MB). 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of MB were determined. The hepatoprotective activity of MB was studied using a CCl₄-induced liver toxicity model in rats. The hepatoprotective effect was assessed by monitoring the plasma malondialdehyde level and serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities. Histopathological changes of hepatic tissue were also investigated. The results indicated that MB possessed potential antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibition and free radical scavenging activities. Pretreatment of rats with MB (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg per os) before induction of CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity showed a dose-dependent reduction in the necrotic changes in hepatic tissue. The increases in plasma malondialdehyde level, serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities were also significantly inhibited by MB. The total phenolic content of MB determined using Folin-Ciocalteu assay was found to be 10%. The results of the present study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of MB is most likely due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.