Healing and Preventive Effects of Calcium Alginate on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of calcium alginate on carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The study included two experiments. In the first experiment the animals were given daily CCL₄ through gavage for 7 days and then 10, 50, or 250 mg/kg b.w. of calcium alginate for 21 days. The increased bilirubin level, enhanced alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity in plasma and reduced liver glycogen content induced by CCL₄ were partly normalized by alginate administration in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, alginate significantly improved CCL₄-induced alterations of pro-oxidant and antioxidant biochemical parameters in liver and plasma compared to those of rats administered CCL₄. In the second experiment the animals were given daily 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg b.w. of calcium alginate for 21 days before 7-day administration of CCL₄. Pretreatment with alginate before CCL₄ administration resulted in significantly inhibited increase of the blood enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and bilirubin level in a dose-dependent manner. Also, preliminary administration of alginate prevented elevation of lipid peroxidation products and reduction of liver glutathione content in rats given CCL₄. These results suggest that calcium alginate exerts healing and preventive effects on CCL₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.