[Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of teucrium polium on biochemical and hematological parameters of hepatotoxic rats]

The remedial use of plants dates back to ancient time. Medicinal plants are considered to be an important source for their therapeutic and preventive effects against many diseases. Teucrium polium [Lamiaceae] is a plant that has been used over 2000 years in traditional medicine. The wild-growing, flowering plant, found abundantly in many areas of the world, including Iran. The biological activities of T. polium is widely reported and it has been shown to have, anti-hypertensive, weight loss and hypoglycemic effects. There are contradictory studies about the effects of T. polium on blood glucose, lipid, and the liver. In the present study, the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium on biochemical and hematological parameters of hepatotoxic rats were evaluated. This experimental study was conducted in 2009 at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Thirty-two Wistar male rats, weighing 250-300 gr, were randomly divided into four groups, 8 rats in each group. Animals in groups 1, 2 and 3 received 0.5 mL/kg olive oil [i.p], CCl4 [1 mL/kg, i.p] plant extract 200 mg/kg [o.p] respectively. The rats in group 4 were injected with CCl4 and plant extract. After eight days, blood samples were collected by direct cardiac puncture. The animal whole blood and serum were processed for evaluating the hematological and biochemical parameters. The results showed that serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride values were significantly increased in animal which received T. polium in comparison with the control group. There was a significant increase in both ALT and AST enzyme activities in groups 2 and 4 compared with the control group. WBC and platelets count increased significantly in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to the control group. According to the findings of the present study, the use of Teucrim polium does not lead to severe liver damage, although it increases the blood cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride. Accordingly, consumers should be advised that caution be exercised in the consumption of Teucrim polium