Hepatoprotective activity of silymarin encapsulation against hepatic damage in albino rats

Liver fibrosis occurs due to liver injuries and toxins. Silymarin (SMR) extracted by the milk thistle seeds, is widely used such as herbal drug for its hepatoprotective properties. The purpose of this study to assess the properties of an optimized dose of encapsulated crude SMR on antidiabetic activity and liver fibrosis induced by paracetamol in male albino rat. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by measuring liver enzymes. Results revealed that the consumption of encapsulated SMR, can effectively affluence the target and avoid the degradation of bioactive compound. Body weight of animal also significantly increased in each group during all the period. According to our optimized study, the long-term induction of SMR (300 mg/kg) significantly amplified survival time of rats with paracetamol induced hepatic injuries. The changes of liver fibrosis and the significant increase of hepatic enzyme biomarkers were also observed. In conclusion, the results suggest that SMR acts as a hepatoprotective agent by inhibiting the fibrogenisis and apoptosis in liver, as well as insulin resistance.     

Hepatoprotective activity of ellagic acid against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Administration of CCl4 to normal rats and consequent oral feeding with ellagic acid (50 mg/kg) provided a significant protection against the biochemical alterations in serum and liver produced by CCl4. In vitro experiments showed that liver microsomes from animals treated with ellagic acid and CCl4, decreased lipid peroxidation compared to microsome prepared from rats exposed to CCl4 alone.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of N-Trisaccharide in different experimental rats

ObjectivesTo investigate the hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effect of N-Trisaccharide isolated from Cucumis prophetarum (L.) on different experimental rats.MethodsN-Trisaccharide (25 and 50 mg/kg.b.w), silymarin (25 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (25 mg/kg) was orally administered once daily for 28 days and toxicity evaluation studies were carried out. Liver damage was assessed by determining DNA damage, serum enzyme activities and hepatic histopathology of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic injury in rats. Enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant levels in liver and kidney were determined and biochemical parameters such as, serum lipid profile, renal function markers were estimated in type 2 diabetic rats.ResultsDNA fragmentation analysis revealed the protective effect of N-Trisaccharide on liver DNA damage. Histopathological studies indicated that CCl₄-induced liver injury was less severe in N-Trisaccharide (25 and 50 mg/kg) treated group. Given at the above doses conferred significant protection against the hepatotoxic actions of CCl₄ in rats, reducing serum markers like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, creatinine and urea levels back to near normal (p < 0.05) compared to untreated rats. In diabetic rats, N-Trisaccharide treatment significantly reversed abnormal status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels to near normal. Also, serum lipids such as TG, TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared to diabetic untreated rats.ConclusionPresent study results confirm that N-Trisaccharide possesses significant antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties.     

Protective effect of cannabidiol against cadmium hepatotoxicity in rats

The protective effect of cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, against liver toxicity induced by a single dose of cadmium chloride (6.5 mg kg^?1 i.p.) was investigated in rats. Cannabidiol treatment (5 mg kg^?1/day, i.p.) was applied for five days starting three days before cadmium administration. Cannabidiol significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase, and suppressed hepatic lipid peroxidation, prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione and nitric oxide, and catalase activity, and attenuated the elevation of cadmium level in the liver tissue resulted from cadmium administration. Histopathological examination showed that cadmium-induced liver tissue injury was ameliorated by cannabidiol treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that cannabidiol significantly decreased the cadmium-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB, caspase-3, and caspase-9, and increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in liver tissue. It was concluded that cannabidiol may represent a potential option to protect the liver tissue from the detrimental effects of cadmium toxicity.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Origanum vulgare in Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

The effect of an aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare (OV) leaves extract on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in normal and hepatotoxic rats. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of OV, rats were divided into six groups: control group, O. vulgare group, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄; 2 ml/kg body weight) group, and three treatment groups that received CCl₄ and OV at doses of 50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight orally for 15 days. Alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate amino transferase (AST) in serum, lipid peroxide (LPO), GST, CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, and GSH in liver tissue were estimated to assess liver function. CCl₄ administration led to pathological and biochemical evidence of liver injury as compared to controls. OV administration led to significant protection against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in dose-dependent manner, maximum activity was found in CCl₄?+?OV3 (150 mg/kg body weight) groups and changes in the hepatocytes were confirmed through histopathological analysis of liver tissues. It was also associated with significantly lower serum ALT, ALP, and AST levels, higher GST, CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, and GSH level in liver tissue. The level of LPO also decreases significantly after the administration of OV leaves extract. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Thus, the study suggests O. vulgare showed protective activity against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and might be beneficial for the liver toxicity.     

Effects of quercetin on antioxidant defense in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In light of evidence that some complications of diabetes mellitus may be caused or exacerbated by oxidative damage, we investigated the effects of subacute treatment with the antioxidant quercetin on tissue antioxidant defense systems in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats (30 days after streptozotocin induction). Quercetin, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, was administered at a dose of 10mg/kg/day, ip for 14 days, after which liver, kidney, brain, and heart were assayed for degree of lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione content, and activities of the free-radical detoxifying enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Treatment of normal rats with quercetin increased serum AST and increased hepatic concentration of oxidized glutathione. All tissues from diabetic animals exhibited disturbances in antioxidant defense when compared with normal controls. Quercetin treatment of diabetic rats reversed only the diabetic effects on brain oxidized glutathione concentration and on hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity. By contrast, a 20% increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation, a 40% decline in hepatic glutathione concentration, an increase in renal (23%) and cardiac (40%) glutathione peroxidase activities, and a 65% increase in cardiac catalase activity reflect intensified diabetic effects after treatment with quercetin. These results call into question the ability of therapy with the antioxidant quercetin to reverse diabetic oxidative stress in an overall sense.     

Hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of green tea against Thioacetamide-Induced liver injury in Sprague Dawley rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSince ancient times, herbal medicines have been applied in the treatment of cancer. Tea, derivative from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze plant is the most popular beverage globally after water and is available in various forms. Green tea has been expansively investigated for its beneficial properties of cancer prevention and therapy. The goal of the research: The current study was conducted to evaluate the hepaprotective character of methanolic green tea extract and its mechanism of action contrary to thioacetamide (TAA)-produced liver fibrosis of Sprague Dawley rats.Materials and MethodsThirty rodents were equally placed in 5 clusters including normal control, TAA group as a positive control, silymarin as standard drug control, and treatment groups consisting of high dose and a low dose Camellia sinensis. Rats in experimental clusters by mouth fed with C. sinensis at 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg daily for 2 months. After 60 days, all rats were sacrificed. Blood specimens were gathered for liver biochemical examination. Livers of all groups were dissected out and subjected to histopathological examination through the Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, Masson trichrome, and immunohistochemistry stains (PCNA). Liver tissue homogenate was also analyzed for antioxidant activity parameters.ResultsGross morphological examination showed a regular liver architecture in C. sinensis fed collections compared to the TAA sets. Histology of rat’s liver fed with C. sinensis showed an important decrease in the liver index with hepatic cells propagation, mild cellular injury, and immunostaining showed significant down-expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). TAA produced liver fibrosis through a significant increase in serum alanine transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. Total protein and albumin also decreased in the TAA group. Moreover, the reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity including superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as the increase in malondialdehyde was detected in the TAA control group. Meanwhile, an abnormal level of liver biochemical parameters was restored closer to the normal levels in serum of the C. sinensis-fed clusters. In addition, C. sinensis fed assemblies showed elevated antioxidative enzymes activity with a reduction in malondialdehyde level comparable to the levels in silymarin-treated rats.ConclusionsGreen tea potentially inhibited the progression of liver cirrhosis, down -regulation of PCNA proliferation, prevented oxidation of hepatocytes, recovered SOD and CAT enzymes, condensed MDA and reduced cellular inflammation.     

Plasma quercetin metabolites: structure-antioxidant activity relationships

We studied quercetin metabolism in rats to determine the nature and conjugation positions on the resulting metabolites and to evaluate their contribution to the antioxidant activity of plasma. HPLC analysis showed that quercetin is primarily metabolized to glucuronides and sulfoglucuronides and, to a minor extent, to sulfates. ESI-MS/MS studies confirmed these results and indicate that the most plausible positions for glucuronidation and sulfation are the hydroxyl groups located at positions 5 and 7, excluding the 3'-OH and 4'-OH groups. Plasma antioxidant status was significantly higher in animals to which quercetin was administrated, suggesting that quercetin metabolites can retain some antioxidant activity when the o-catechol group does not undergo conjugation reactions. It was also shown that plasma quercetin metabolites could compete in vivo with other molecules for peroxynitrite. These results enabled the establishment of quercetin metabolite structure-antioxidant activity relationships and, hence, to understand their contribution for the antioxidant potential of plasma.     

Protective effect of Nasturtium officinale R. Br and quercetin against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Molecular Biology Reports - Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is used in the management of autoimmune conditions and malignant illnesses. However, its therapeutic use is limited because of its severe side...     

Hepatoprotective effects of phosphatidylserine liposomes on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

It has been proposed carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) intoxication due to the production of free radicals and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) overload results hepatotoxicity. Phosphatidylserine (PS) has shown antioxidant activity in numerous studies. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of PS liposomes treatment against the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. Male Wistar rats were treated with PS (10 mg/kg, oral) or phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PC) (10 mg/kg, oral) for 3 days before CCl₄ (2 ml/kg; ip once on the third day) injection. The serum level of ALT, AST, and ALP were measured. Also, antioxidant assays were performed. Administration of PS with CCl₄ significantly inhibited alterations in the serum levels of AST, ALP (^**P < 0.01), and ALT (^***P < 0.001) compared with control group. Furthermore, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels indicated that PS significantly reduced reactive oxygen species. The results of the present study showed the hepatoprotective effects of PS against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.     

Anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and antihepatotoxic effects of Spirulina platensis against d-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Spirulina platensis has been advocated as safe food for human use by several investigators. In this study its beneficial dietary effect against liver injuries caused by d-galactosamine (d-GalN) was studied ensuring safety to human health using animal model. Acute hepatotoxicity was induced in Wister rats with d-GalN followed by treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and with Spirulina aqueous extract at various concentrations. The effect of Spirulina at different concentrations were tried and compared with BHT treatment. The animals treated with d-GalN on subsequent treatment by supplementation with Spirulina (6, 9%) in the diets, led to significant reversal in the levels of the antioxidant enzymes through hepatocytes by suppression of negative effect. Spirulina aqueous extract at 9% resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of alkaline phosphatase and infalmatory markers TNFα, IL6 and IL1β and also decreased TBARS, while it showed an increase in oxidative stress marker such as GR, GSH, GST, SOD, GPX and CAT and total protein when compared to the levels recorded with that group treated with d-GalN. Results also indicated that Spirulina aqueous extract at 9% concentration was equally effective in protecting liver damage as it was observed with BHT. Histological studies on liver treated with d-GalN, BHT and Spirulina aqueous extract showed that S. platensis is effective as diet in providing beneficial protective effect. The results obtained in the present study very clearly indicated the positive beneficial protective effect of Spirulina, when used as diet, on the safety and protection of liver from injuries caused by toxicants.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Morus bombycis Koidzumi on CCl4-induced liver damage

The antioxidant activity and liver protective effect of Morus bombycis Koidzumi were investigated. Aqueous extracts of M. bombycis Koidzumi had higher superoxide radical scavenging activity than other types of extracts. The aqueous extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed significant hepatoprotective activity when compared with that of a standard agent. The biochemical results were confirmed by histological observations indicating that M. bombycis Koidzumi extract together with CCl(4) treatment decreased ballooning degeneration. The water extract recovered the CCl(4)-induced liver injury and showed antioxidant effects in assays of FeCl(2)-ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Based on these results, we suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of the M. bombycis Koidzumi extract is related to its antioxidative activity.     

Influence of excipients and technological process on anti-inflammatory activity of quercetin and Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. extracts by oral route

The flavonoids quercetin, 3-O-methylquercetin and luteolin play an important role in the anti-inflammatory activity of Achyrocline satureioides ethanol extracts when administered intraperitoneally. The present work describes the oral anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin and A. satureioides extracts and the role played by the solvent concentration, adjuvant and drying processes of freeze-drying (FD) or spray-drying (SD) on the effect. The best anti-edema effect was observed with 250 mg/kg body wt of the freeze-dried powder (FDP), prepared with 40% (v/v) ethanol (FDP40). In contrast, 250 mg/kg body wt of FDP80, prepared with ethanol 80% (ES80), did not significantly inhibit the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. However, when ES80 was freeze-dried in the presence of polysorbate 80 (FDP80-P80) or spray-dried in the presence of colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) and P80 (SDP80), both dried extracts became more active. Quercetin suspension in saline did not inhibit paw edema, but the mixture of quercetin with polysorbate 80 was effective in edema inhibition by the oral route. Aqueous extract (ESAQ), freeze-dried (FDPAQ, FDPAQ-P80) or spray-dried (SDPAQ) did not exhibit the edema-inhibition effect. Taken together, the results point to the following order of efficacy (at 4 h, for example): FDP40 > indomethacin > SDP40 > SDP80 = FDP80-80 > Quercetin-P80. Additionally, the FDP40, SDP40 (prepared from 40% v/v ethanol added of CSD) and SDP80 reduced the total leukocyte and polymorphonuclear cell migration in the pleural cavity.     

Effect of different exposed lights on quercetin and quercetin glucoside content in onion (Allium cepa L.)

Quercetin and quercetin glucosides are the major flavonols present in onion (Allium cepa L.) and are predominantly present as quercetin, quercetin-3,4′-diglucoside and quercetin-4′-glucoside. Effect of different light wavelengths on onion after harvest and storage, with fluorescent, blue, red and ultra violet light influenced the quercetin and quercetin glucosides profile. In a peeled onion, all the light treatments elevated quercetin content in bulb. Among them, particularly fluorescent light effect was more eminent which stimulates the maximum synthesis of quercetin in onion. In case of whole onion bulb, skin and pulp showed different responses to light treatment, respectively. The pulp had the highest quercetin glucosides under blue light, whereas the lowest under fluorescent light. Onion skin showed nearly opposite pattern as compared to the pulp. In particular, light treatment proved to be a better way to increase the level of quercetin content in onions which might be utilized for industrial production of bioactive compounds from onion and onion waste products.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Leucas hirta against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats

Methanol and aqueous leaf extracts of L. hirta demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats. The parameters studied were serum total bilirubin, total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The hepatoprotective activity was also supported by histopathological studies of liver tissue. Results of the biochemical studies of blood samples of CCl4 treated animals showed significant increase in the levels of serum markers and decrease in total protein level reflecting the liver injury caused by CCl4. Whereas blood samples from the animals treated with methanol and aqueous leaf extracts showed significant decrease in the levels of serum markers and increase in total protein indicating the protection of hepatic cells. The results revealed that methanol leaf extract followed by aqueous extract of L. hirta could afford significant protection against CCl4 induced hepatocellular injury.     

Antidiabetic effects of quercetin in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

Effects of the intraperitoneal injection of quercetin in streptozocin-induced diabetic and normal rats were investigated and compared. Although quercetin had no effect on plasma glucose level of normal animals, it significantly and dose-dependently decreased the plasma glucose level of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Glucose tolerance tests of the diabetic animals approached those of normal rats, their plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced significantly, while their hepatic glucokinase activity was significantly increased upon quercetin treatment. In normal rats, quercetin did not affect the glucose tolerance test, but resulted in an increase of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and a decrease in hepatic glucokinase activity. No significant pathologic changes were noted in hepatocytes or kidney tubules and glomeruli, while the number of pancreatic islets significantly increased in both treated normal and diabetic groups. It is concluded that quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties brings about the regeneration of the pancreatic islets and probably increases insulin release in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats; thus exerting its beneficial antidiabetic effects. However, it may be of little value in normoglycemic animals.     

Hepatoprotective effect of tocopherol against isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in albino rabbits

Antitubercular drug induced hepatotoxicity is a major hurdle for an effective treatment of tuberculosis. The present study was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective potential of tocopherol (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, ip) and to compare it with cimetidine (120 mg/kg, ip). Hepatotoxicity was produced by giving isoniazid (INH, 50 mg/kg, po) and rifampicin (RMP, 100 mg/kg, po) combination to albino rabbits for 7 days. Assessment of liver injury was done by estimating levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and argininosuccinic acid lyase (ASAL) in serum and by histopathological examination of liver. Results revealed that pretreatment with high dose of tocopherol (100 mg/kg) prevented both biochemical as well as histopathological evidence of hepatic damage induced by INH and RMP combination. Moreover, tocopherol (100 mg/kg) was found to be a more effective hepatoprotective agent as compared to cimetidine.     

Chenopodium album extract ameliorates carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rat model

Major objective of this study was to explore the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Chenopodium album against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Chenopodium album has locally been used for multiple medicinal proposes. Methanolic extract of Chenopodium album (whole plant) was prepared with Soxhlet extractor and rotatory evaporator. Antioxidant activity of Chenopodium album was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Thirty Wister (albino) rats (150–200 g) were divided into six groups for the evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of different concentrations of Chenopodium album against carbon tetrachloride (1:1 CCl₄: Olive oil) under the controlled laboratory conditions. Group-I rats were administrated with olive oil (Normal control), Group-II with CCl₄ only, Group-III with Silymarin (positive control), Group-IV with Chenopodium album (100 mg/kg), Group-V with Chenopodium album (200 mg/kg) and Group-VI rats with Chenopodium album (300 mg/kg) for the period of 28 days. Serum was taken to determine the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine and urea in the blood. Formalin stored tissues were examined for histopathological analysis. DPPH assay showed that Chenopodium album has the potential for reduction of oxidative stress. Chenopodium album minimized the levels of ALT (70 ± 8.68 U/L, 68.75 ± 8.38 U/L & 73.5 ± 10.28 U/L), AST (219.5 ± 19.16 U/L, 140.75 ± 13.35 U/L & 221.25 ± 13.33 U/L) and ALP (289.5 ± 28.21 U/L, 258 ± 11.12 U/L & 248.25 ± 4.03 U/L) at different concentrations (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg respectively). Chenopodium album enhanced triglyceride level (64.75 ± 12.66 mg/dl at 200 mg/kg) as compared to CCl₄ treated group (33.25 ± 1.26 mg/dl). Carbon tetrachloride elevated urea level (43.25 ± 6.6) was decreased by high dose of Chenopodium album (18 ± 8.17). Moreover, Chenopodium album also improved WBC level (9.69 × 10³ /Cu.mr & 10.59 × 10³ /Cu.mr at low and medium doses respectively), RBCs level (6.97 × 10³ /Cu.mr) and hemoglobin level (13.95 G/dL, 13.467 G/dL & 14.05 G/dL at low, medium and high doses). In vivo study of Chenopodium album methanolic extract demonstrates the potential for protection of liver and after pre-clinical studies the plant can be used as a safe alternative of commercially available hepatoprotective medicines.     

The flavonoid quercetin induces changes in mitochondrial permeability by inhibiting adenine nucleotide translocase

This study shows the effects of the flavonoid quercetin on diverse mitochondrial functions, among them membrane permeability. Our findings indicate that the addition of 50 μM quercetin did not produce reactive oxygen derived species; however, it inhibited the oxidative stress induced after the addition of Fe²/H₂O₂ by about 38%. At this concentration, quercetin also promoted a fast calcium release, inhibited oxidative phosphorylation, stimulated oxygen consumption, and decreased membrane potential. In addition 50 μM quercetin inhibited the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) by 46%. These effects induced the opening of the permeability transition pore and release of cytochrome c, by its interaction with a component of the non-specific pore complex, fixed to the carrier in the conformation c, as carboxyatractyloside does. Quercetin-induced permeability transition pore opening was inhibited by 0.5 μM cyclosporin A, but, interestingly, the release of cytochrome c was not inhibited by the immunosuppressor, as quercetin was found to disrupt the outer membrane.     

Potential hepatoprotective activity of ononitol monohydrate isolated from Cassia tora L. on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in wistar rats

Ononitol monohydrate, structurally similar to glycoside was isolated from Cassia tora L. leaves. Fifty Male rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as normal control. Group II, III and IV rats were induced hepatotoxicity by CCl₄ administering single dose of CCl₄ on 8th day only. Group III was treated with ononitol monohydrate (20 mg/kg body weight) and group IV was treated with reference drug silymarin (20 mg/kg body weight) both dissolved in corn oil and administering for 8 days. Ononitol monohydrate with corn oil alone was given for 8 days (group V). At the end of the experimental period all the animals were sacrificed and analyzed for biochemical parameters to assess the effect of ononitol monohydrate treatment in CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity. In in vivo study, ononitol monohydrate decreased the levels of serum transaminase, lipid peroxidation and TNF-α but increased the levels of antioxidant and hepatic glutathione enzyme activities. Compared with reference drug silymarin ononitol monohydrate possessesed high hepatoprotective activity. Histopathological results also suggested the hepatoprotective activity of ononitol monohydrate with no adverse effect. Hence we conclude that ononitol monohydrate is a potent hepatoprotective agent.