Hepatoprotective effect of morin on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Morin is a flavonoid that exists in nature and is the major component of traditional medicinal herbs. Here we evaluated morin for its hepatoprotective effect against chronic ethanol-induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats. Ethanol administration (7.9 g/kg bwt) for 60 days induced hepatic and renal damage by increasing oxidative stress and decreasing antioxidant levels. The status of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides (HP)), antioxidant (vitamin C, vitamin E, GSH), serum hepatic markers (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin), and renal markers (urea, creatinine) were assessed as biochemical endpoints to determine the hepatic protective effect of morin. Oral administration of morin (100 mg/kg b.w) to alcohol-intoxicated rats for 30 days showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation and restoration of antioxidant, hepatic, and renal markers to normal. Histopathologic observations of liver were also in correlation with biochemical parameters. The results indicate that morin might be beneficial in ameliorating alcohol-induced oxidative damage in rat liver.