Planta Med 2012; 78 - PD63
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320421

Protective effect of suberin against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity

AN Shikov 1, MN Makarova 1, 2, AI Selezneva 1, 2, ON Pozharitskaya 2, VG Makarov 1, GI Djachuk 1, M Pirttimaa 3, P Pitkänen 3, S Alakurtti 3
  • 1North-West State Medicinal University named after I.I. Mechnikov, 47, Piskarevsky pr., 195067, St-Petersburg, Russia
  • 2St.-Petersburg Institute of Pharmacy, 56, Bolshaja Porochovskaya, POBox 16, 195248, St-Petersburg, Russia
  • 3VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1000, Espoo, Finland

Suberin is a natural lipidic biopolymer found in the cell walls of normal and wounded external tissues of aerial and subterranean organs of plants. In frame of ongoing project FORESTSPECS effects of suberin against CCl4 induced hepatotoxisity was studied for the first time.

Suberin was extracted from outer bark of birch according to the literature procedure [1]. Hepatotoxicity was induced by intragastric administration of CCl4 for 4 weeks (0.5mg/kg, every 4 days). Suberin in dose 5, 10 and 15mg/kg was administered by gavage during 10 days starting on 21 day of experiment. Extract of Silybum marianum (18mg/kg) was used as positive control. Serum aminotransferase levels, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde were increased by CCl4. Suberin significantly decreased the level of ALT, bilirubin and malondialdehyde in dose of 15mg/kg, and alkaline phosphatase in dose of 5 and 10mg/kg. Histopathological examination for rat livers observes positive improvements of liver tissues.

This study provides evidence that suberin is potent candidate for treatment of hepatocellular damage of liver.

Reference: Ekman et al., US Pat. 4732708 Mar. 22, 1988

Acknowledgements: the study was supported by FORESTSPECS project, grant agreement 227239.