PROSTANOIDS AND FREE-RADICALS IN CL4C-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS - EFFECT OF ASTILBIN

A beneficial effect of flavonoids in Cl4C-induced hepatoxicity in rats has been reported, In this communication we have evaluated the protec tive effect of astilbin, an active flavonoid isolated from a crude ext ract of Hymenaea martiana, as well as its action on liver arachidonate metabolism in Cl4C-treated rats. The following groups of rats were st udied: Group I = controls; Group II = Astilbine-treated animals (40 mg /Kg); Group III = Cl4C-treated at 1 ml/kg; Group IV = Astilbine + ClC4 and Group V = Vitamine E (50 mg/Kg) + Cl4C-treated animals. Histologi cal findings, superoxide dismutase activity, lipoperoxides and prostan oid profiling studies revealed that the hepatoprotective effect of ast ilbine was higher than that of vitamin E. Astilbine was capable to res tore lipoperoxides and tissue prostanoids to basal values.