Protective effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of an aqueous extract from the root of Rhodiola sachalinensis (RSE) on liver injury induced by repetitive administration of carbon tetrachloride in rats. RSE was given orally to rats at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg throughout the carbon tetrachloride treatment for 28 days. In rats treated with carbon tetrachloride, the levels of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver, and serum enzyme activities were significantly increased. RSE treatment significantly reduced the levels of liver hydroxyproline and MDA, and serum enzyme activities, in accordance with improved histological findings. Immunohistological findings indicated RSE treatment inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation, which is a major step for collagen accumulation during liver injury. These data suggest that RSE protects the liver from repetitive injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.