Effect of Purified Saponin Mixture from Astragalus corniculatus on Toxicity Models in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

A purified saponin mixture (PSM) isolated from Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. (Fabaceae) was investigated for its protective effect in two models of toxicity, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), using isolated rat hepatocytes. CCl₄ undergoes dehalogenation in the liver endoplasmic reticulum. This process leads to trichlormethyl radical (CCl₃) formation, initiation of lipid peroxidation, and measurable toxic effects on the hepatocytes. Oxidative damage is widely recognized as being involved in the development of many pathological conditions. In our experiment, t-BuOOH was used as a model of oxidative stress. The hepatocytes were incubated with the PSM alone (0.01–100 μ M) and along with CCl₄ (86 μ M) and t-BuOOH (75 μ M). As a sign of cytotoxicity, cell viability was used. CCl₄ and t-BuOOH significantly decreased hepatocyte viability. Our data indicate that PSM showed lower toxic effects compared to CCl₄ and t-BuOOH and in combination exerted statistically significant protection of cell viability against the toxic agents.