Hepatoprotective effect of Acantholimon gilliati Turril, kew.Bull. on formaldehyde induced liver injury in adult male mice.

Background: Acantholimon gilliati Turril(Plumbaginaceae) is used in variety of diseases including hepatic ailments in the west region of Iran. Aim of the study: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of methanoilc extract (ME) of A. gilliati on formaldehyde (FA) induced liver injury in adult male mice.Materials and methods: Fifty six adult male mice were divided into 8 groups. In control group received normal saline. Group II treated with formaldehyde 10mg/kg. Group III to VIII treated with both FA (10mg/kg) and metalonic extract of plant at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 100 mg respectively. All animals in 8 group were treated for 2 weeks (once every other day). At the end of experiment evaluations were made especially by morphology and photometric method for assay of histopathology of liver and serum levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).Results: Formaldehyde induced liver damage both in histology and function. The levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzymes were significantly increased in FA treated group. Administration of ME in all experimental groups significantly reduced serum levels of ALT and ALP (P= 0.02). however AST was reduced significantly just in groups III and IV(p