Antihepatotoxic principles of Garcinia kola seeds

Extracts and isolates of Garcinia kola (Guttiferae) seeds have been evaluated for hepatoprotective effects in rats, in order to validate or invalidate the traditional therapeutic indications. The ethanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions exerted a significant liver protective activity on CCl₄-induced cytotoxicity in rats. This in vivo efficacy was reinforced by significant hepatoprotection on CCI₄-induced hepatotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes. From the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract, the hydroxybiflavanonols GB1 and GB2 were isolated and characterized as the main antihepatotoxic principles. Both constituents exhibited significant liver protective effects against CCl₄- and GalN-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes. These activities were significantly better than that of silibinin, a known hepatoprotective agent obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum. This present study has shown that EA2 and EA3 exhibit hepatoprotective properties since they reduce cell membrane disturbances (reduction of GPT leakage) induced by CCl₄ and GalN in isolated rat hepatocytes.