Hepatoprotective and Antioxidative Effect of Rosmarinic Acid Against Bile Duct Ligated (BDL)-Induced Cholestatic in Male Rats

Background & Aim: Cholestasis is a type of liver disease due to structural damage and dysfunction of hepatobiliary system which at first results in accumulation of bile acids and other toxins in plasma and hepatic tissue. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible hepatoprotective effects of rosmarinic acid against oxidative stress and liver injury in bile duct ligation (BDL)- induced cholestatic rats. Methods: In the present experimental study, twenty-four male Wistar rats (200±25 g) were randomly divided into three groups; control (N=6), cholestatic (N=9), cholestatic + rosmarinic acid at dose of 20 mg/kg/day (N=9). Biochemical tests (including aspartate amino transferase, AST; alanine amino transferase, ALT; alkaline phosphatase, ALP), oxidative stress markers (such as protein carbonyl, PCO; total thiol, TSH and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity; FRAP) and antioxidant enzymes (including catalase, CAT; super oxide dismutase, SOD; and glutathione peroxidase, GPx) activity were estimated. Also, hematoxylin and eosin staining were determined in the hepatic tissue. Results: There was a significant increase in AST, ALT, ALP and CAT activity, as well as plasma PCO and FRAP level in cholestatic group as compared to control rats, while the level of TSH, FRAP and GPX in hepatic tissue significantly decreased (P