Portulaca oleracea L. extract ameliorates the cisplatin-induced toxicity in chick embryonic liver.

Cisplatin, a cytotoxic agent used in treating cancer, at high doses induces hepatotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective role of aqueous extract of aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea L. (Po) against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in chick embryonic liver. A group of 12 day old chick embryos, acclimatized to laboratory conditions were treated with a single dose of cisplatin (100 microg), while another group received Po extract at different doses (1 and 3 mg) 6 h prior to cisplatin treatment. The biochemical parameters were estimated after 24 and 72 h of incubation. A dose-dependent increase in biochemical parameters, such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde levels and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes levels like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase and reduced glutathione were observed in cisplatin-treated animals, indicating a definite damage to the liver tissue. Pre-treatment with Po extract was found to provide significant protection against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity, as evident by the recovered levels of the altered changes in the measured biochemical parameters.