Abstract
The chloroform and methanol extracts of Opuntia monacantha were studied for its hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol induced liver damage in rabbits. Results proved that both extracts at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight in one week protocol showed significant (p<0.001) hepatoprotective activity by reducing the magnitude of liver markers including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phasphatase and total bilirubin levels. The results were supported by histopathological studies of liver tissue. Chemical analysis of O. monacantha indicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides and its hepato-protective potential may be due to the presence of flavonoids. Its is concluded that 600 mg/kg is the potent dose of both extracts of O. monacantha as hepatoprotective plant.
Highlights
The liver is “Great Chemical Factory” of the body as involved in regulation, synthesis, storage and secretion of many important proteins, nutrients and chemicals
Hepatoprotective effect of chloroform and methanolic extracts at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg were determined by estimating liver enzymes: AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and TB
Administration of chloroform extract of O. monacantha at a dose of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg brought this enzyme level to 86.3 ± 4.5 U/L, 82.5 ± 11.9 U/L and 80.8 ± 6.4 U/L respectively, but the methanol extract with same doses altered the AST level as 98.2 ± 6.7 U/L, 90.0 ± 5.8 U/L and 78.2 ± 7.2 U/L respectively which was comparable to standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin AST level 75.5 ± 8.4 U/ L (p
Summary
The liver is “Great Chemical Factory” of the body as involved in regulation, synthesis, storage and secretion of many important proteins, nutrients and chemicals. Antioxidants can scavenge free radicals, limiting the process of hepatic cell necrosis (Raja et al, 2006). Though we know the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of many plants, but still there is much less information available regarding the hepatoprotective potential of Opuntia monacantha commonly known as Chnutarthar from family: Cactaceae (Ahmad, 2007). This herb has been used for liver impairment traditionally but there is no scientific evidence available. This study was undertaken with the objective to explore the hepatoprotective potential of O. monacantha
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