Hepatoprotective action of nine constituents isolated from the leaves ofClausena lansium in mice

Abstract

The hepatoprotective actions of nine compounds isolated from the leaves of Clausena lansium (Loor.) Skeels, Rutaceae were studied. The nine compounds at the dose of 250 mg/kg, except demethylsecoclausenamide, significantly depressed the elevated serum transaminase in mice intoxicated with CCl4. Further study on the more abundant components, seco-clausenamide and clausenamide, demonstrated that both compounds decreased the hepatotoxicity of thioacetamide and acetaminophen in mice. Clausenamide was shown to significantly inhibit CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation of liver microsomes and 14C-CCl4 covalent binding to microsomal lipids. The results indicate that eight compounds isolated from Clausena lansium have hepatoprotective activity in mice. Drug Dev. Res. 39:174–178. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.