Hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract on carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury in rats

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Abstract
The effects of an ethanolic extract of Cuban red propolis were examined using the model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in rats. Propolis extract at doses of 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg i.p. decreased significantly the activity of alanine aminotransferase and the concentration of malondialdehyde in rat serum as well as the concentration of triglycerides in liver which were increased in CCI4‐treated animals. An ethanol extract of red propolis also reduced liver damage induced by CCI4 in rats. This effect was observed by electron microscopy. According to our results it is concluded that ethanolic extract of red propolis exerts hepatoprotective effects in this experimental model which are probably caused by antioxidative properties (e.g. scavenging action against oxygen radicals) of this extract.