Protective effect of chrysin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced tissue injury in male Wistar rats

Chrysin, a natural flavonoid has been reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidation properties. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the putative protective effect of chrysin, an isoflavone, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (2 ml/kg) to rats for 4 days resulted in significantly elevated (p < 0.05) serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), when compared to normal rats. In addition, the tissues (liver, kidney and brain) and haemolysate samples showed considerable increase in levels (p < 0.05) of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lowered levels (p < 0.05) of reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and E when compared to values in normal rats. Quantitative analysis of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) exhibited lower activities of these antioxidant enzymes in the tissues and haemolysate of CCl4-administered rats. The protective action of chrysin on CCl4-induced rat was demonstrated with SGPT, SGOT, ALP and LDH resuming to near normal levels, while the mean levels of GSH and of vitamin C and E were elevated, the mean activities of CAT, SOD and Gpx were enhanced and the mean level of MDA was lowered in the tissue and haemolysate samples when compared to the CCl4-exposed untreated rats. The expression of the iNOS gene appeared to be up-regulated in the liver and kidney samples of CCl4-exposed untreated rats, whereas in CCl4-exposed chrysin-treated rats, the mRNA transcript levels of iNOS approximated normal levels. These results strongly suggest that chrysin is able to prevent the oxidative damage induced by CCl4 in the liver, brain, kidney and haemolysate of male Wistar rats.