Hepatoprotective Effect of the Ethanolic Extract of Calocybe indica on Mice with CCl4¬ Hepatic Intoxication

This study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of a wild edible mushroom (Calocybe indica) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in mice. Oral administration of CCl4 (2.5 ml/ kg body weight/ day) induced chronic hepatotoxicity resulting elevated serum levels of glutamate pyruvate tranaminase (SGPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin content. The substantially elevated serum marker enzyme levels were restored towards normalization by the extract treatment when administered at a dose of 150 mg/kg body wt once daily. Silymarin was used as standard reference drug. The hepatic antioxidant status such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were reduced in the CCl4 alone treated animals with subsequent increase in lipid peroxidation. Administration of the extract challenge restored the hepatic antioxidant status. Furthermore, histopathogical studies confirmed the hepatoprotective effect conferred by the ethanolic extract of C. indica. The findings thus suggested ethanolic extract of C. indica protects CCl4 induced chronic hepatotoxicity in mice by restoring the liver antioxidant status.