Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF BARK EXTRACTS OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA LINN IN ALBINO RATS

*Abdul Vahab A. and Dr. Jyoti Harindran

ABSTRACT

Nowadays plant products gaining prominence of therapeutic agents for example centella asiatica is reported to have antiepileptic activity, glycyrrhiza glabra reported for antiulcer activity. Herbal medicines are inexpensive and better compatable with human body with minimal side effect. In the present study, the plant chosen is Terminalia catappa (Linn.) which is popular as a medicinal plant. Bark of this species which is of Combretaceae family e.g. the bark of Terminalia arjuna which is coming under Combretaceae family shows mainly hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activity. Terminalia chebula is reported to have cytotoxic activity. Keeping this view in the mind, bark extracts of Terminalia catappa was selected for to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of terminalia catappa were taken. Preliminary photochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate, tannins, phenols, flavonoids and saponinsin all extracts. LCMS and GCMS studies showed the presence of steroid in alcoholic extract. Chemical analysis showed the trace elements within the limit. Acute toxicity studies of both extracts, selected the effective dose as 400mg/kg. Isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity study were conducted for 21 days. At the end of 21st day the animals were killed. SGPT, SGOT, ALP bilirubin and total protein were measured. Histopathologic examination assured the hepatoprotective activity of the extracts.

Keywords: Terminalia catappa, hepatoprotective activity, preliminary phytochemical examination, histopathology.