Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of phyllanthin against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in Cyprinus carpio

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects and possible mechanism of phyllanthin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in common carp. Fish were fed diet containing four doses of phyllanthin (0, 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg diet) for 60 days, and then given an intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (30 % in arachis oil) at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg body weight. At 72 h after CCl4 injection, blood and liver samples were collected for the analyses of serum biochemical parameters, peroxidation product, glutathione, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results showed that administration of phyllanthin at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg in the diet prior to CCl4 intoxication considerably inhibited the adverse alterations caused by CCl4 in serum and liver tissue, including glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxalate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde. Furthermore, the positive effects of phyllanthin were confirmed in histopathologic examination. Overall results proved the hepatoprotection of phyllanthin, and it is suggested that phyllanthin may be used as a hepatoprotective agent to prevent liver diseases in fish.