Isolation of an Anti-Hepatotoxic Principle from the Juice ofEcballium elaterium

Abstract
The antihepatotoxic activity of elaterium (dried juice of the fruits of Ecballium elaterium, Cucurbitaceae) and cucurbitacin B (isolated from the juice) was studied against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Pre- and posttreatment with elaterium and cucurbitacin B reduced CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, as shown by the reduction in the anormally increased sGPT levels. Posttreatment caused a significant reduction in the degree of steatosis observed in the control group, treated only with CCl4. In conclusion, elaterium and cucurbitacin B had preventive and curative effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

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