This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of propolis against liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus strain). To determine the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of CCl₄, an initial experiment was conducted using four groups (n = 5 per group), which received increasing oral doses of CCl₄. The animals were monitored for behavioural changes and mortality. The LD₅₀ was estimated at 4 ml/kg, while 1.25 ml/kg was identified as the critical toxic dose based on both experimental observations and previous studies. Following this, 25 rats aged 12–14 weeks and weighing 182 ± 22.5 g were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5 per group): a negative control group, a CCl₄-intoxicated group, and three treatment groups receiving different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) of ethanolic propolis extract. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of CCl₄ at the toxic dose (1.25 ml/kg) twice weekly for four weeks.Biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate liver enzyme levels (serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartates aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein), and other vital indicators including urea, creatinine, and uric acid. The CCl₄ group exhibited significant elevations (P 0.05).In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of propolis demonstrated a significant hepatoprotective effect against CCl₄-induced toxicity, likely due to its antioxidant constituents, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These findings highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for liver damage caused by chemical toxins.
Elwahaishi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.