The Hepatoprotective Effects of Corn Silk against Dose-induced Injury of Ecstasy (MDMA) Using Isolated Rat Liver Perfusion System

Corn silk (CS) is widely used in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatoprotective activity of CS by Isolated Rat Liver Perfusion System (IRLP). Hydro-alcoholic extract of corn silk (10, 20, 40, and 100 mg kg-1) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity by IRLP. Phenol and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve, respectively. IRLP system is ideal for studying biochemical alterations of chemicals with minimum neuro-hormonal effects. In this study, the liver was perfused with Kerbs-Henseleit buffer, containing different concentration of hydro-alcoholic extract of corn silk (10, 20, 40, 50,100mg/kg), added to the buffer, and perfused for 2 hours. During the perfusion, many factors, including amino-transferees activities and the level of GSH, were assessed as indicators of liver viability. Consequently, sections of liver tissues were examined for any histopathological changes. Histopathological changes in liver tissues were related to hydro-alcoholic extract of corn silk concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Also, 50 and 100mg/kg doses caused significant (P<0.05) histopathological changes. Level of GSH in samples perfused with hydro-alcoholic extract increased compared to the control group. Hepatoprotective effect of CS is due to decreased lipid peroxidation, although other mechanisms might also be involved.