Standardized Olea europaea L. leaf extract exhibits protective activity in carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury. - GreenMedInfo Summary

The protective activity of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver damage and possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in rats. Acute CClintoxication resulted in a massive hepatic necrosis, in increased serum transaminases, and in a perturbation of oxidative stress parameters in liver tissue [malondyaldehide, glutathione (GSH), catalase]. CCldid not affect the expression of caspase-3 and cytochrome c as markers of apoptosis; however, CClincreased the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3II and decreased the expression of p62 protein. The pre-treatment with DOLE significantly improved serum markers of liver damage, liver catalase activity, and GSH concentration, suggesting that antioxidative mechanism is responsible for hepatoprotection. Oral administration of DOLE did not influence LC3II conversion and p62 degradation in liver, but AMPK activity was significantly decreased, suggesting the energy balance perturbation as an additional potential mechanism of DOLE hepatoprotective effect.