Hepatoprotective Effects of (-) Epicatechin in CCl-Induced Toxicity Model Are Mediated via Modulation of Oxidative Stress Markers in Rats.

Objective: (-) Epicatechin (EP) is a naturally occurring antioxidant flavonoid found in some green plants. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential role of antioxidant mechanisms in the hepatoprotective properties of EP using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced acute liver injury model.

Materials And Methods: Rats ( = 7 per group) were divided into five groups including control group, (-) epicatechin group (20 mg·kg body weight), CCl group (1 mL body weight), CCl-EP treatment group, and CCl-silymarin (SILY) group.