EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ROOT OF PUNICA GRANATUM IN RATS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of the root (REE) of Punica granatum.Methods: This study was conducted on adult albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 150-200 g. Animals were divided into five groups (n=5). Liver injury was produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 1 ml/kg dissolved in olive oil (1:1) given intraperitoneally on day 1 and day 4 of the study duration of 14 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg/d) orally was used as standard drug. Test groups received an REE of P. granatum (REE) at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day orally along with CCl4. On the 15th day, all animals were sacrificed, and blood was collected. Liver was sent for histopathological examination. The hepatoprotective effect of REE was evaluated by assessment of physical parameters, histopathological examination and biochemical parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total serum bilirubin.Results: The administration of REE of P. granatum at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day orally, exhibited a highly significant decrease in the rise of mean serum AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin as compared to CCl4 treated group (p<0.001). Histopathological examination of the liver also suggested hepatoprotective effect of REE of P. granatum by restoration of hepatic architecture toward normal. Decrease in the extent of centrilobular necrosis was observed in REE (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) treated rats when compared to CCl4 treated group.Conclusion: This study demonstrated hepatoprotective activity of REE of P. granatum against CCl4 induced liver injury in rats.