Artichoke leaves, onion skin ethanolic extracts were evaluated for their ability to inhibit carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver function, kidney function and lipid peroxidation in rats. The antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione-S-transferase) was significantly decreased while the level of liver enzymes activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was significantly increased following treated with hepatotoxic dose of CCl4 as compared to control negative. In contrast, the antioxidant enzyme activities was significantly increased while, the level of liver enzymes activities and thiobarbituric acid was significantly decreased by orally administration of artichoke leave, onion skin extracts as compared to control positive. After and before of CCl4-intoxicated rats with artichoke leaves and onion skin extracts for 4 week showed a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzyme with simultaneous significantly decreased in the level of liver enzymes activities and thiobarbituric acid as compared to control positive. We speculate that artichoke leaves and onion skin extracts its effect by decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes.
Key words: Artichoke leaves, Onion skin, Carbon tetrachloride, Thiobarbituric, Glutathione-S-transferase