Evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of propolis extract in carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats.

Propolis (bee glue), a resinous wax-like beehive product has been used since ancient times for its pharmaceutical properties. In the present study, the ethanolic extract of propolis (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) induced liver damage in rats. Administration of CCl4 caused a sharp elevation in the activity of serum transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and a significant decrease in the ATPase, alkaline phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase activities in the liver and kidney and hepatic GSH level. The treatment with propolis extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reversed the various biochemical alterations in blood, liver and kidney induced by CCl4 intoxication. The hepatoprotective property of propolis may be due to its antioxidant activity.