Effect of Calendula officinalis L. extract on the course of experimental hepatitis and cholecystitis

The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of the extract from flowers of Calendula officinalis on the course of experimental cholecystitis in hamsters. Materials and methods. In the first series of experiments, the acute hepatitis was simulated by subcutaneous injection of 50% oily solution of carbon tetrachloride to hamsters at the dose of 0.4 ml/100 g once a day for 4 days. The acute cholecystitis was simulated by a single introduction of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the gall bladder at the dose of 0.1 ml. The C. officinalis extract was orally introduced to the animals of the experimental group at the dose of 100 mg/kg since the second day of the experiment once a day for 14 days. On the 14th and 28 th days the functional state of the liver was estimated and the pathomorphological study of the gall bladder was carried out. Results. It has been established that the C. officinalis dry extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg has high efficacy: it significantly decreases manifestations of cytolysis and cholestasis in the liver and normalizes the structures of the gall bladder decreasing dystrophic and necrotic changes and limiting inflammatory reactions thus promoting reparative processes in the organs of the hepatobiliary system. Conclusion. The C. officinalis dry extract has the marked phramacotherapeutical effect in experimental hepatitis and cholecystitis diminishing functional disturbances and mobilizing reparative processes in the liver and gall bladder of hamsters.