Protection of carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity by cinchona alkaloids
You, X.; Mulchinski, E.A.; Agarwal, A.K.
Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology 84(2): 223-232
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-5164 PMID: 8091007 Document Number: 423013
Elevated serum enzymes were observed due to all four cinchona alkaloids in male Sprague-Dawley rats after four day treatment. Only a slight effect on bile flow and excretion of phenolphthalein glucuronide in bile was noted. Animals treated with cinchona alkaloid for four days and then receiving CCl-4 showed a partial protection against CCl-4 induced hepatotoxicity. The levels of serum enzymes were lowered as compared to animals treated with CCl-4 alone. Bile flow and excretion of phenolphthalein glucuronide in bile showed a trend of restoration towards control levels. All four cinchona alkaloids probably inhibit microsomal enzymes, thereby, inhibiting the bioactivation of CCl-4 and hence reducing the toxicity.