Effect of Ginkgo biloba , Panax ginseng , and Schizandra chinensis extract on antioxidative capacity of damaged liver induced by carbon tetrachloride

This study investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba , Panax ginseng , and Schizandra chinensis extract on antioxidative capacity of damaged liver induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, CCl 4 ‐treated, CCl 4 +silymarin (200 mg/kg/d)‐treated, CCl 4 +1× herbal extract cocktail (HEC; 150 mg/kg/d for each)‐treated, or CCl 4 +5× HEC (150 mg/kg/d for each)‐treated groups for 6‐week experimental period. The results showed that CCl 4 ‐treated groups significantly increased plasma GOT and GPT activities compared with the control group at week 4. Both CCl 4 +silymarin and 1× HEC‐treated groups significantly decreased plasma GOT activity, and the 1× HEC‐treated group significantly decreased plasma GPT activity compared with the CCl 4 ‐treated group. The CCl 4 ‐treated group had lower hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, but other CCl 4 ‐treated groups had similar SOD activities to the control group. The CCl 4 +5× HEC‐treated group had higher hepatic catalase activity than other four groups. Silymarin and HEC treatments enhanced total antioxidant status impaired by CCl 4 treatment. Additionally, HEC treatment partially decreased hepatic lipid peroxides elevated by CCl 4 treatment. The pathologic examination showed that liver fibrosis was ameliorated in the HEC‐treated groups. These results suggest that Ginkgo biloba , Panax ginseng , and Schizandra chinensis extract improve hepatic antioxidative capacity and diminish liver fibrosis in rats with CCl 4 ‐induced liver damage.