Protective activity of Hypericum androsaemum infusion against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Hypericum androsaemum L. (Guttiferae) is a medicinal plant with antioxidant activity. Increasing evidence regarding free radical generating agents suggests that hepatotoxic-related disorders may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Hypericum androsaemum infusion on isolated rat hepatocytes oxidative injury induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). The results showed that pretreatment of the cells with this infusion (16, 62 and 250 microg/ml) prevented the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lipid peroxidation caused by a 30-min treatment with t-BHP (1mM). However, infusion-induced alterations on glutathione homeostasis were noticed, as it was observed by the increase in glutathione oxidised form (GSSG) and depletion in total glutathione levels, which indicates that plant-derived antioxidant extracts may not be considered a generalised way of treating pro-oxidant-related diseases.