A search for hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L. against oxidative stress cytotoxicity.

The protective effects of different concentrations of aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L. fruit (75 and 100 microg/ml) and also gallic acid (100 microM) as one of its main components were examined against oxidative stress toxicity induced by cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in isolated rat hepatocytes. Both extract concentrations and gallic acid (100 microM) significantly (P<0.05) protected the hepatocyte against all oxidative stress markers including cell lysis, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, lysosomal membrane oxidative damage and cellular proteolysis. Aqueous extracts of Rhus coriaria L. (75 and 100 microg/ml) were more effective than gallic acid (100 microM) in protecting hepatocytes against CHP induced lipid peroxidation (P<0.05). On the other hand gallic acid (100 microM) acted more effective than aqueous extracts of Rhus coriaria L. (75 and 100 microg/ml) at preventing hepatocyte membrane lysis (P<0.05). In addition H(2)O(2) scavenging effect of both extract concentrations (75 and 100 microg/ml) were determined in hepatocytes and compared with gallic acid (100 microM). Gallic acid (100 microM) was more effective than aqueous extracts of Rhus coriaria L. (75 and 100 microg/ml) at H(2)O(2) scavenging activity (P<0.05).