Effect of Falcaria vulgaris against Toxic Effect of Ethanol to the Rat's Liver.

Introduction: Alcoholic liver disease is the most important side effect of alcohol consumption. Falcaria vulgaris (F. vulgaris) plant or long leaf contains antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredients. This plant is consumed in western Iran as a vegetable in the spring. Aim: To evaluate the effects of F. vulgaris against toxic effects of ethanol on the liver of rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, hydroalcoholic extract of F. vulgaris was prepared. Sixty four Wistar rats (male rats) were randomly assigned to eight groups: control normal and ethanol control groups; F. vulgaris groups (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) and ethanol + F. vulgaris treated groups (50, 100, 150 mg/kg). Treatments were administered by gavage daily for 28 days. Griess technique was assessed for determined Serum nitric oxide level. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were determined for liver functional disturbances. In addition, liver weight, total antioxidant capacity, the diameter of hepatocytes and the Central Hepatic Vein (CHV) were investigated. Results: Ethanol enhanced significantly total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide level, the mean diameter of CHV, and hepatocyte and liver enzymes and significantly decreased liver weight compared to the normal control group (p<0.05). The F. vulgaris and F. vulgaris+ethanol at all doses reduced significantly the mean diameter of hepatocyte and CHV, liver enzymes and nitric oxide levels and increased liver weight compared to the ethanol control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study concluded that F. vulgaris provides protection against oxidative stress resulting from ethanol in the liver and such an ability of the F. vulgaris might be due to its strong potential antioxidant attributes. F. vulgaris administration moderates the detoxification enzymes and the antioxidant agents in the extract bring about hepatic tissue recovery and prevention of ethanol adverse-effects on nitric oxide, ALT, AST and ALP as evidenced in the above mentioned examination of the male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]