Protective Effects of an Extract of Young Radish (Raphanus sativus L) Cultivated with Sulfur (Sulfur-Radish Extract) and of Sulforaphane on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

The protective effects of an extract of young radish (Raphanus sativus L) cultivated with sulfur (sulfur-radish extract) and of sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury were observed in mice. CCl₄ produced a marked increase in the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), primed lipid peroxidation, and resulted in intense necrosis due to oxidative stress. Oral administration of the sulfur-radish extract and of sulforaphane after CCl₄-induced liver injury both decreased the serum level of ALT, reduced the necrotic zones, inhibited lipid peroxidation, and induced phase 2 enzymes without affecting cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1). These results suggest that the administration of the sulfur-radish extract and of sulforaphane may partially prevent CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity, possibly by indirectly acting as an antioxidant by improving the detoxification system.