Hepatoprotective activity of Hypericum perforatum L. alcoholic extract in rodents

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Abstract
In recent years, interest in the hepatoprotective plants and plant based chemicals is increasing. In Turkish folk medicine, Hypericum perforatum L. has been used for various purposes including liver protection. The hepatoprotective effect of H. perforatum was investigated in vivo by cannulating the rat bile duct for choleretic activity and by barbiturate sleeping time following CCI4‐induced hepatic injury. The increase in the bile secretion following intraduodenal injection of H. perforatum extract, and the appearance of its constituents in the bile were observed by its colour change and this observation was confirmed by thin layer chromatographic analysis suggesting the excretion of hypericin into the bile as well. It was observed that the extract shortens the barbiturate sleeping time of CCI4‐treated mice suggesting hepatoprotection.