The optimal dose of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) for providing protective effects against CCl4‐induced hepatic damage in rats

Larvae of edible insects Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) is well known in Korean traditional medicine for improvement of blood circulation. This study focused on the optimal dose of P. brevitarsis larvae for protection against CCl4‐induced hepatic injury in rats. The optimal dose of P. brevitarsis larvae was estimated by intraperitoneal administration of 100, 300, 1,000, or 3,000 mg/kg, once daily for 5 days, to CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity rats. CCl4 administration showed much higher levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, compared to control groups. Also, histopathological results showed extensive liver lesions, characterized by substantial necrosis, steatosis, and hemorrhage. In addition, an increased prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) level and decreased fibrinogen level was observed in the CCl4 groups. In contrast, the treatment of P. brevitarsis larvae showed significant protection against the CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity reducing the serum AST and ALT activities (P < 0.05); the lowest level of serum AST and ALT activities were observed in the group treated with 100 and 300 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the treatment with P. brevitarsis larvae at 100 and 300 mg/mL significantly reduced PT and aPTT values, and increased the fibrinogen level, when compared to the CCl4‐treatment alone (P < 0.05). In intoxicated rats, the doses of P. brevitarsis larvae greater than 300 mg/kg did not enhance its protective action (1,000 mg/mL group) or was not as effective (3,000 mg/mL group). The results indicate that P. brevitarsis larvae revealed a protective effect against CCl4 acute hepatotoxicity including coagulation disorders and the optimum dose was 300 mg/kg.