[Research in Experimental Medicine (1994): (194), 203-215]

This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of Liv.52, a herbal formulation, on various serum and liver marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and histological changes in the liver of male albino rats suffering long-term carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) poisoning. It was observed that the activities of serum marker enzymes, hepatic enzymes and NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation were significantly elevated after treatment with CCl4. However, in rats given Liv.52 at the same time as CCl4, the levels of all the marker enzymes were closer to oxidation after Liv.52 treatment. CCl4 alone caused severe liver damage, but when Liv.52 was simultaneously given, there was much less effect on the structure of the organ. Circulating T3 and T4 concentrations were also determined after 6 weeks of simultaneous treatment with Liv.52 and CCl4. Concentrations of T3 were significantly lowered after CCl4 treatment alone, but Liv.52 administration together with CCl4 resulted in maintenance of T3 activity within normal limits., thus suggesting indirect beneficial effects of Liv.52 on the regulation of thyroid hormone concentrations.