Effect of propolis extract on D-galactosamine-induced hepatic injury in rats

The preventive effect of propolis extract on D-galactosamine-induced hepati c injury was examined in rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and a lanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were significantly increased at 24 h after intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (400 mg/kg) in the an imals. Propolis extract was administered orally three times in doses of 3 o r 30 mg/kg at 18 h and 1 h before and 8 h after D-galactosamine injection. The extract itself and the vehicle alone (dextran) caused no significant ch anges in serum AST or ALT activities. Treatment with the extract dose-depen dently prevented the increases in serum AST and ALT activities induced by D -galactosamine, and significant inhibition was observed at a dose of 30 mg/ kg. These results suggested that propolis extract may have an ameliorating effect on hepatic dysfunction.