PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PROPOLIS EXTRACT ON ALLYL ALCOHOL-INDUCED LIVER-INJURY IN MICE

Potential protective effects of ethanolic extract of Cuban red propoli s against toxicity induced by allyl alcohol in mice was investigated. Propolis at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/i.p. significant ly decreased t he activity of alanine amino transferase (EC 2.6.1.2) in serum and the levels of mal ondialdehyde in mouse liver after induction with a dose of 64 mg/kg of allyl alcohol. However, propolis did not increase the concentration of reduced glutathione in mouse liver which is depleted by allyl alcohol. Propolis also reduced liver damage induced by allyl alcohol in mice. This effect was observed by electron microscopy. The hepatoprotective effects of propolis were dose-dependent and they were produced when propolis was administered 30 min before allyl alcohol a dministration. It is indicated that the ethanolic extract of red propo lis exerts potential hepatoprotective effects in this experimental mod el which is probably caused by antioxidative properties (e.g. scavengi ng action against oxygen radicals) of this extract.