HISPIDULIN PROTECTION AGAINST HEPATOTOXICITY INDUCED BY BROMOBENZENE IN MICE

The effects of the natural flavonoid hispidulin (6-methoxy-5,7,4'-trih ydroxyflavone) on bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in mice were inv estigated. We found a correlation between liver injury and hepatic lip id peroxidation besides a strong liver glutathione depletion due to th e toxicant. Hispidulin at doses between 50 and 150 mg/kg i.p. compared favourably with the reference compound N-acetyl-L-cysteine for inhibi tion of liver injury and lipid peroxidation. The flavonoid at the high est dose tested was also able to counteract reduced glutathione deplet ion induced by bromobenzene in starved mice. These hepatoprotective ef fects can be related to the antioxidant properties of hispidulin.