EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF COMBRETUM ALBIDUM G. DON AGAINST CCl4 INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Abstract

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present investigations were undertaken to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of <em>Combretum albidum G </em>Don against CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong><strong>:</strong><strong> </strong>Hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of <em>Combretum albidum</em> (EECA) was determined by using carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>) intoxication of rats as experimental models. The extent of liver damage and effect of the plant extract was assessed by various biochemical parameters like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total billrubin (TB) and total protein (TP) in blood serum and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in liver were determined. Histopathological changes in the liver of different groups were also studied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The administration of EECA at dose levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg/b.w., orally had decreased the rise of ALT, AST, ALP, TB and TBRAS levels and the effects were comparable to standard drug (Silymarin 25 mg/kg/b. w,) the GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, GST and TP levels were significantly increased in the animals received EECA. The histopathological studies show decreased necrosis and hepatocellular degeneration when compared to the CCl intoxicated liver.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that the hepatoprotective and the antioxidant activity of the whole plant of <em>Combretum albidum</em> therefore scientifically supports the use of this plant in traditional medicine for treatment of liver disorders.</p>