Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF LASIANTHUS LUCIDUS LEAF EXTRACTS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

*Katyayani Dutta Choudhury, Manabendra Dutta Choudhury, Mukul Kumar Barua

ABSTRACT

Lasianthus lucidus Blume is used in hepatic disorders in folk medicines. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L. lucidus on the liver functions in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced injuries in Swiss albino mice. Enzymatic activities that are SGPT, SGOT, ALKP and total bilirubin and microscopic appearance of liver was used as parameter and hepato-curative studies were performed. The enzyme levels were assayed by using UV kinetic assay based on reference method of IFCC. Cytotoxicity of CCl4 was estimated by quantifying the release of MDA. The activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes namely SOD, CAT and the level of total protein and GSH were also measured. Various leaf extracts (petrol ether, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) and leaf decoction pre-treatment at the dose of 200mg/kg reduced levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALKP and total bilirubin (P<0.05) previously increased by administration of CCl4. Silymarin (25mg/kg oral dose) was used as positive controL. The activity of antioxidant enzymes in CCl4-treated group was decreased and these enzyme levels were significantly (P<0.05) increased in leaf extract and leaf decoction treated groups. Histopathological studies reveal that the concurrent administration of CCl4 with the extract exhibited protection of liver tissue, which further evidenced the above result. The overall experimental results suggest that the biologically active phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, glycosides alkaloids present in all the extracts and decoction of L. lucidus leaf, may be responsible for the significant hepatoprotective activity and the results justify the use of L. lucidus as a hepatoprotective agent.

Keywords: Hepatoprotection, cytotoxicity, carbon tetrachloride, histopathology.