Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. leaves against paracetamol-induced liver damage via reduction of oxidative stress

Abstract

BackgroundHerbal drugs are being used by traditional systems of medicine in liver damage. Thus, the designed objective was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. leaves (EEPM) against paracetamol-induced liver damage (PILD) in SD rats. MethodsGroup-I rats were administered with 1 ml of 1% CMC/kg b.wt per day for 8 days. Group-II rats were administered with 1 ml of 1% CMC/kg body wt. per day till 7th day, then 3 g paracetamol/kg body wt. on eighth day. Groups-III, IV and V animals were pretreated with 200 mg EEPM/kg/day, 400 mg EEPM/kg/day, 100 mg silymarin/kg/day in that order for seven days and then, administered with a single dose of 3 g paracetamol/kg body wt. p.o. on eighth day. The isolated serum was evaluated for AST, ALT, ALP, TC, ALB, SBL, TP and TG as part of liver function test using regular kit sets. The extract was also assessed for its antioxidant potential by measuring level of SOD, GSH, CAT and TBARS in isolated serum. ResultsTreatment with 400 mg EEPM/kg/day in group-IV rats showed significant decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, bilirubin, triglyceride, TBARS, liver wt. and relative liver wt. while significant increase in the levels of final b.wt, TP and ALB, SOD, GSH, CAT compared to group-II rats. The hepatoprotective activity of 400 mg EEPM/kg/day was found to be comparable to that of 100 mg silymarin/kg/day. ConclusionsFindings indicate that EEPM possesses a potent hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver damage and protects liver from PILD by preventing paractamol-induced oxidative stress and altered biochemical markers. This indicates the therapeutic efficacy of Pterocarpus marsupium against liver damage.