Preliminary characterization,antioxidant activity in vitro and hepatoprotective effect on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice of polysaccharides from the peduncles of Hovenia dulcis

The fresh fleshy peduncles of Hovenia dulcis have been used as a food supplement and traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of liver diseases and alcoholic poisoning for more than a millennium. The objectives of the present study, therefore, were to determine the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from the peduncles of H. dulcis (HDPS) and to evaluate its hepatoprotective effect on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. HDPS, prepared by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation and treatment of macroporous resin, was found to be non-starch polysaccharide and mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid. In in vitro antioxidant assay, HDPS exhibited high superoxide radical scavenging activity, strong inhibition effect on lipid peroxidation and a medium ferrous ion-chelating activity. For hepatoprotective activity in vivo, the administration of HDPS significantly decreased the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, significantly decreased the liver level of malondialdehyde and remarkably restored the liver activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in alcohol-induced liver injury mice. The results suggested that HDPS had a significant protective effect against acute alcohol-induced liver injury possibly via its antioxidant activity to protect biological systems against the oxidative stress.     

Antioxidant activity and protective effect of Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in rats

The present study aimed to determine whether the leaves of Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans extract exert significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of its hydroethanolic extract (HEETU) was evaluated by assessing (a) its radical scavenging ability in vitro, and (b) its in vivo effect on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities. The in vitro antioxidant assay (DPPH) clearly supported HEETU free radical scavenging potential. Moreover, glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were significantly enhanced in CCl₄-treated rats due to oral HEETU-treatment (500 mg/kg b.w.) over 7 and 21 days. In addition, an improvement was observed in lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), indicating a protective effect against CCl₄-induced liver injuries, confirmed by histopathological studies. The HEETU effect was comparable to the standard drug Legalon® (50 mg/kg b.w.) under the same experimental condition. Quantitative analysis of the HPLC extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, wich mediate the effects of antioxidant and oxidative stress. In conclusion, extract components exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in vitro and in vivo.     

Saponins isolated from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum protect against acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective effects of saponins isolated from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Changkil saponins: CKS) against alcoholic steatosis in liver injury induced by acute ethanol administration were investigated. Pretreatment with CKS prior to ethanol administration significantly prevented the increases in serum alanine aminotransferase activity, hepatic TNF-α level, hepatic lipid peroxidation and hepatic triglyceride level. CKS prevented ethanol-induced steatosis and necrosis, as indicated by liver histopathological studies. Additionally, CKS protected against ethanol-induced depletion of hepatic glutathione levels. CYP2E1 has been suggested as a major contributor to ethanol-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. The concurrent administration of CKS efficaciously abrogated the CYP2E1 induction and CYP2E1-dependents hydroxylation of aniline as compared to the individual treatment at higher doses. These findings suggest that CKS may prevent ethanol-induced acute liver injury, possibly through its ability to block CYP2El-mediated ethanol bioactivation and its free radical scavenging effects.     

Preventive effects of a purified extract isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza enriched with tanshinone I,tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone on hepatocyte injury in vitro and in vivo

Salvia miltiorrhiza is traditionally used to treat liver disease in Asia. In this study, we tested the ability of a purified extract of S. miltiorrhiza (PF2401-SF) and its constituents, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinone, to protect against acute and subacute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride by measuring serum transaminase levels, the reduced form of glutathione (GSH), antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation levels in the liver. We also evaluated their ability to protect primary cultured rat hepatocytes from tertiary-butylhydroperoxide (tBH) or d-galactosamine (GalN). PF2401-SF was protective at 50–200 mg/kg per day in acute liver injury and 25–100 mg/kg per day in subacute liver injury. Tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinon (40 μM), inhibited lactate dehydrogenase leakage, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and free radical generation in vitro. PF2401-SF and its major constituents, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, can protect against liver toxicity in vivo and in vitro due to its antioxidant effects.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of phenolic rich fraction of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves

Present study was aimed to investigate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of phenolic rich fraction (PRF) of Seabuckthorn leaves on CCl₄ induced oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats. Total phenolic content was found to be 319.33 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g PRF and some of its phenolic constituents, such as gallic acid, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin were found to be in the range of 1.935-196.89 mg/g of PRF as determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).Oral administration of PRF at dose of 25-75 mg/kg body weight significantly protected from CCl₄ induced elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and bilirubin in serum, elevation in hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydroperoxides, protein carbonyls, depletion of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The PRF also protected against histopathological changes produced by CCl₄ such as hepatocytic necrosis, fatty changes, vacuolation, etc. The data obtained in the present study suggests that PRF has potent antioxidant activity, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against CCl₄ induced oxidative damage in the liver.     

Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb extract ameliorates high fat diet/fatty acid induced lipotoxicity in experimental models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

This study evaluates the protective role of Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb (CG) aqueous extract against high fat diet/fatty acid induced lipotoxicity in experimental models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Supplementation of NASH mice with CG extract (1% and 3% in high fat diet for 16 weeks) prevented high fat diet induced elevation in liver enzymes, plasma and hepatic lipids, mitochondrial oxidative stress and compromised enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and histopathological damage to hepatocytes. Furthermore, results from in vitro study indicates, addition of CG extract (20–200 μg/ml for 24 h) to HepG2 cells minimizes oleic acid induced lipid accumulation, higher lipid peroxidation, cytotoxicity and reduced cell viability. These in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that CG extract has the potential of preventing high fat/fatty acid induced NASH.     

Hepatoprotective effect of electrolyzed reduced water against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice

The study investigated the protective effect of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into control, CCl₄, CCl₄ + silymarin, and CCl₄ + ERW groups. CCl₄-induced liver lesions include leukocytes infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis, ballooning degeneration, mitosis, calcification, fibrosis and an increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aminotransferase (AST) activity. In addition, CCl₄ also significantly decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). By contrast, ERW or silymarin supplement significantly ameliorated the CCl₄-induced liver lesions, lowered the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (ALT and AST) and increased the activities of SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px in liver. Therefore, the results of this study show that ERW can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl₄-induced oxidative damage in mice, and the hepatoprotective effect might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect.     

Addition of açaí (Euterpe oleracea) to cigarettes has a protective effect against emphysema in mice

Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke (CS) induces emphysema by the damage contributed by oxidative stress during inhalation of CS. Ingestion of açai fruits (Euterpe oleracea) in animals has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study compared lung damage in mice induced by chronic (60-day) inhalation of regular CS and smoke from cigarettes containing 100 mg of hydroalcoholic extract of açai berry stone (CS + A). Sham smoke-exposed mice served as the control group. Mice were sacrificed on day 60, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, and the lungs were removed for histological and biochemical analyses. Histopathological investigation showed enlargement of alveolar space in CS mice compared to CS + A and control mice. The increase in leukocytes in the CS group was higher than the increase observed in the CS + A group. Oxidative stress, as evaluated by antioxidant enzyme activities, mieloperoxidase, glutathione, and 4-hydroxynonenal, was reduced in mice exposed to CS + A versus CS. Macrophage and neutrophil elastase levels were reduced in mice exposed to CS + A versus CS. Thus, the presence of açai extract in cigarettes had a protective effect against emphysema in mice, probably by reducing oxidative and inflammatory reactions. These results raise the possibility that addition of açaí extract to normal cigarettes could reduce their harmful effects.     

Protective effects of Dunaliella salina – A carotenoids-rich alga,against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective effects of Dunaliella salina (D. salina) on liver damage were evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Male ICR mice were orally treated with D. salina or silymairn daily with administration of CCl₄ twice a week for 8 weeks. CCl₄ induced liver damage and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and GSH content in liver whereas increased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content as compared with control group. Treatment with D. salina or silymarin could significantly (p < 0.05) decrease the ALT, AST, and ALP levels in serum and increase the activities of SOD, catalase, GSH-Px, glutathione reductase, and GSH content and decrease the MDA content in liver when compared with CCl₄-treated group. Liver histopathology also showed that D. salina reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl₄. The results suggest that D. salina exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl₄-induced liver damages in mice, and that the hepatoprotective effects of D. salina may be due to both the increase of antioxidant enzymes activities and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.     

Protective effects of silica hydride against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective effects of MegaHydrate™ silica hydride against liver damage were evaluated by its attenuation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Male ICR mice were orally treated with silica hydride (104, 208 and 520 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg) daily, with administration of CCl₄ (1 mL/kg, 20% CCl4 in olive oil) twice a week for eight weeks. The results showed that oral administration of silica hydride significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver that were induced by CCl₄ in mice. Moreover, the silica-hydride treatment was also found to significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increase the GSH content, in the liver. Liver histopathology also showed that silica hydride reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl₄. The results suggest that silica hydride exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl₄-induced liver damage in mice, likely due to both the increase of antioxidant-defense system activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.     

Semen Hoveniae extract protects against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice

The protective effects of Semen Hoveniae extract (SHE) from Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) on acute alcohol-induced liver injury were investigated in vivo using mice as test models. In the present study, SHE (150, 300, 600?mg/kg/day) was given to mice by intragastric administration for 4 days. Mice were gavaged with 60% ethanol 10?mL/kg after the last dose of extract. Six hours after alcohol administration, liver injury was evaluated by biochemical examination. Lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidants were measured by spectrophotometric methods. In mice, administration of SHE significantly decreased the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum. Administration of SHE also protected against alcohol-induced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) elevation in mice. Concurrently, there was an augmentation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH), and it also facilitated alcohol metabolism. Acute toxicity tests showed that a single dose of oral SHE up to 22?g/kg did not result in any death or toxic side effects in mice during 14 days’ observation. These results demonstrate that SHE could protect against acute alcohol-induced liver injury without any toxic side effects. Therefore, Semen Hoveniae has potential for the development of a clinically useful agent which could protect the liver from alcohol-induced injury.     

Attenuation of acute and chronic restraint stress-induced perturbations in experimental animals by Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale was investigated on anoxia stress tolerance test in Swiss mice. The animals were also subjected to acute physical stress (swimming endurance test) to gauge the anti-stress potential of the extract. Further to evaluate the anti-stress activity of Z. officinale in chronic stress condition, fresh Wistar rats were subjected to cold restraint stress (4° for 2 h) for 10 days. Stimulation of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis in stressful condition alters plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, BUN and corticosterone levels. There is also alteration in the blood cell counts. Pretreatment with the extract significantly ameliorated the stress-induced variations in these biochemical levels and blood cell counts in both acute and chronic stress models. The extract treated animals showed increase in swimming endurance time and increase in anoxia tolerance time in physical and anoxia stress models, respectively. Treatment groups also reverted back increase in liver, adrenal gland weights and atrophy of spleen caused by cold chronic stress and swimming endurance stress models. The results indicate that ethanolic extract of Z. officinale has significant adaptogenic activity against a variety of biochemical and physiological perturbations in different stress models.     

Protective effects of Forsythia suspensa extract against oxidative stress induced by diquat in rats

Forsythia suspensa extract has been proved as a potential antioxidant in the recent years. The present study was undertaken to obtain the optimal antioxidant fraction in vitro and examine its antioxidative potential against diquat-induced oxidative stress in male Sprague Dawley rats in vivo. In vitro, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging experiment indicated that the CH₂Cl₂ fraction of F. suspensa (FSC) exerted the strongest scavenging activities; forsythoside A, forythialan A and phillygenin from it might be the major antioxidant constituents. In vivo, pretreatment of rats with different doses of FSC (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw, positive control) for 15 days significantly lowered the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma compared to the negative control group. Also, FSC significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the levels of glutathione (GSH) in plasma, liver and kidney whereas it decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and kidney. Moreover, the protective effect of FSC (100 mg/kg bw) was better than vitamin C. These results revealed that FSC exerted a protective effect against diquat-induced oxidative stress and is worthy of becoming a potential dietary antioxidant.     

Pretreatment of Albino Rats with Methanolic Fruit Extract of Randia Dumetorum (L.) Protects against Alcohol Induced Liver Damage

Alcohol abuse and its medical and social consequences are a major health problem in many areas of the world. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic fruit extract of Randia dumetorum (L.) on alcohol-induced liver damage in rats. Rats were divided into five different groups (n=6), group I served as a control, group II received ethanol (3 ml/100 g/day p.o.), group III served as standard group and received silymarin (50 mg/kg p.o.), group IV and V served as extract treatment groups and received 50 & 100 mg/kg methanolic extract of R. dumetorum. All the treatment protocols followed 30 days and after rats were sacrificed blood and liver were used for biochemical and histological studies, respectively. The activities serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), direct bilirubin (DB), total bilirubin (TB) and lipid peroxidation were statistically increased in rats exposed to alcohol while total protein and glutathione decreased compared to control rats. Treatment with R. dumetorum significantly decreased the elevated levels of ALT, AST, TG, DB, TB and lipid peroxidation compared to the group exposed to alcohol only. R. dumetorum significantly resulted in increased levels of total protein and reduced glutathione compared to the group that received alcohol only. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with R. dumetorum improved the hepatotoxicity caused by alcohol. Hence the study concluded that R. dumetorum has potential hepatoprotective activity.     

Protective effects of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) germ oil against carbon tetrachloride-induced injury in mice and cultured PC-12 cells

The protective effects of lotus germ oil on liver and kidney damage by carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in mice, PC-12 cells, and DNA damage were investigated. The mice were treated orally with lotus germ oil or dl-α-tocopherol after administration CCl₄ for 49 consecutive days. The levels of key antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the concentration of glutathione (GSH), as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were determined in homogenates of the liver and the kidney. The pathological histology of the liver was also examined. The activities of SOD, CAT, and the concentration of GSH were increased significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) after treated with lotus germ oil in a concentration-dependent manner. Whereas, the content of the peroxidation product MDA were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), similar to the serum levels of hepatic enzyme biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Furthermore, lotus germ oil could inhibit the conversion of super-coiled pBR322 plasmid DNA to the open circular form and apoptosis of hydrogen peroxide-induced PC-12 cells. The result of this study suggested that the lotus germ oil could be recognized as powerful “functional oil” against oxidative stress.     

Protective effect of the Aralia continentalis root extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The root of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa has been used in traditional Korean medicine to relieve pain and to treat inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of the extract of A. continentalis roots (AC) against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and the mechanism of its hepatoprotective effect. In mice, pretreatment with AC prior to the administration of CCl₄ significantly prevented the increased serum enzymatic activity of ALT and AST as well as the formation of hepatic malondialdehyde. Histopathological evaluation of the livers also revealed that AC reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl₄. In addition, pretreatment with AC significantly prevented both the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content and the decrease in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver of CCl₄-intoxicated mice. Hepatic GSH levels and GST activity were increased by treatment with AC alone. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is known to be induced by oxidative stress and to confer protection against oxidative tissue injuries. Interestingly, AC markedly upregulated hepatic HO-1 expression in CCl₄-treated mice, which might provide anti-oxidative activity in the liver. These results indicate that AC plays a critical protective role in CCl₄-induced acute liver injury by promoting anti-oxidative protein expression.     

Protective effect of Acacia confusa bark extract and its active compound gallic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury in rats

Acacia confusa Merr. (Leguminosae), a species native to Taiwan, is widely distributed on the hills and lowlands of Taiwan, and has been traditionally used as a medicine. The hepatoprotective effects of A. confusa bark extract (ACBE) and its active constituent gallic acid were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. CCl₄-induced hepatic pathological damage and significantly increased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) protein expression in hepatic samples, and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes. Treatment with ACBE, gallic acid or silymarin could decrease significantly the AST, ALT, and MDA levels in plasma, and CYP2E1 expression in liver tissues, and increase the activities of SOD and GPX in erythrocyte when compared with CCl₄-treated group. Liver histopathology also showed that ACBE, gallic acid or silymarin could significantly reduce the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl₄. These results suggested that the ACBE and gallic acid exhibit potent hepatoprotection against CCl₄-induced liver damages in rats, and the hepatoprotective effects of ACBE and gallic acid may be due to the modulation of antioxidant enzymes activities and inhibition of lipid peroxidation and CYP2E1 activation.     

Agrimonia eupatoria protects against chronic ethanol-induced liver injury in rats

This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of Agrimonia eupatoria water extract (AE) against chronic ethanol-induced liver injury. Rats were fed a Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet for 8 weeks. Animals were treated orally with AE at 10, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day. After chronic consumption of ethanol, serum aminotransferase activities and pro-inflammatory cytokines markedly increased, and those increases were attenuated by AE. The cytochrome P450 2E1 activity and lipid peroxidation increased after chronic ethanol consumption, while reduced glutathione concentration decreased. Those changes were attenuated by AE. Chronic ethanol consumption increased the levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 protein expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein and mRNA expression, and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B, which was attenuated by AE. Our results suggest that AE ameliorates chronic ethanol-induced liver injury, and that protection is likely due to the suppression of oxidative stress and TLR-mediated inflammatory signaling.     

Inhibitory effects of methanol extract of plum (Prunus salicina L., cv. ‘Soldam’) fruits against benzo(α)pyrene-induced toxicity in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the chemopreventive effects of immature plum extracts. The methanol extract of immature plums (plum 1), that are picked at 20–40 days before final harvest, has remarkably inhibited the growth of hepatoma HepG2 cells. The effects of immature plum extracts on hepatotoxicity in benzo(α)pyrene (B(α)P, carcinogen)-treated mice were investigated. Male ICR mice were pretreated with immature plum extracts (2.5 or 5 g/kg bw/day, for 5 days, i.p.) before treatment with B(α)P(0.5 mg/kg bw, i.p., single dose). The activities of serum aminotransferase, cytochrome P450 (CYPs) and the hepatic content of lipid peroxide were increased on B(α)P-treatment group than control, but those levels were significantly decreased by the pretreatment of immature plum extracts. The primary CYPs involved in the metabolism and bioactivation of B(α)P are CYP1A1. The pretreatment of immature plum extracts inhibited the induction of CYP1A1 expression. The activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased by the pretreatment of immature plum extracts more than with B(α)P alone. Whereas, the hepatic content of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase activity depleted by B(α)P was significantly increased (p > 0.05). These results suggest that immature plum extracts may counteract toxic effects of carcinogens, such as B(α)P, and therefore possess the chemopreventive efficacy.     

Silymarin,the antioxidant component and Silybum marianum extracts prevent liver damage

Liver disorders are one of the common recent problems affects on the human health. These disorders due to many environmental polluted sources. Many herbal, medicinal and pharmaceutical plants and their extracts are widely studied by many researchers. Silybum marianum got a bright reputation in relieve the liver diseases, and that might be for the potent silymarin mixture. Mechanism of action for silymarin conducted mainly to the antiradical and anticarcinogenic roles. Ethyl acetate (100 mg/kg bw) and ethanol seed extracts for S. marianum (100 mg/kg bw) were tested against the injection (i.p.) by carbon tetrachloride (2 ml/kg bw) the inducer of liver damage. Their activity were compared with standard hepatic drug hepaticum (100 mg/kg bw) for 10 days. Ethanolic extract showed the most significantly decrease in the liver enzymes. For the oxidative experiments, ethyl acetate showed the most increase for glutathione level and the risk factor HDL/LDL significantly. Hepaticum was the most powerful group for the significant decreasing for malondialdehyde and fucosidase activity. Some equal improvements were noticed in the histopathological studies for the protective groups.