Effect of Purified Saponin Mixture from Astragalus corniculatus on Toxicity Models in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

A purified saponin mixture (PSM) isolated from Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. (Fabaceae) was investigated for its protective effect in two models of toxicity, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), using isolated rat hepatocytes. CCl4 undergoes dehalogenation in the liver endoplasmic reticulum. This process leads to trichlormethyl radical (CCl3) formation, initiation of lipid peroxidation, and measurable toxic effects on the hepatocytes. Oxidative damage is widely recognized as being involved in the development of many pathological conditions. In our experiment, t-BuOOH was used as a model of oxidative stress. The hepatocytes were incubated with the PSM alone (0.01-100 mu M.) and along with CCl4 (86 mu M) and t-BuOOH (75 mu M). As a sign of cytotoxicity, cell viability was used. CCl4 and t-BuOOH significantly decreased hepatocyte viability. Our data indicate that PSM showed lower toxic effects compared to CCl4 and t-BuOOH and in combination exerted statistically significant protection of cell viability against the toxic agents.