Protective effects of camellia sinensis leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

The present study appraised the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Camellia sinensis against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats. The 100 and 200 mg kg-1 b.wt. of Camellia sinensis and 100 mg kg-1 b.wt. Silymarin was administered orally to separate groups of rats for 7 days prior to CCl4 administration. A significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in both the groups treated with 100 and 200 mg kg-1 b.wt. of the leaf extract and Silymarin on the levels of the enzymes and non-enzyme markers of tissue damage and lipid peroxidation, with no significant changes in the relative organ weight of the treated groups. This result shows that the leaf extract of Camellia sinensis contains some phytochemical(s) that can protect the liver against CCl4-induced injury in rats.