Abstract
In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extracts of Cassia sophera Linn. leaves was evaluated against carbon-tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extracts at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered orally once daily. The hepatoprotection was assessed in terms of reduction in histological damage, changes in serum enzymes, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were restored towards the normalization significantly by the extracts. The decreased serum total protein level was significantly normalized. Silymarin was used as standard reference and exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that Cassia sophera leaves have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats. This study suggests that possible activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extracts.
Highlights
Cassia sophera Linn (Family Caesalpiniaceae), popularly known as kasundi, is a shrubby herb found throughout India and in most tropical countries
The present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of leaves of C. sophera against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats
Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract of C. sophera revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids
Summary
Cassia sophera Linn (Family Caesalpiniaceae), popularly known as kasundi, is a shrubby herb found throughout India and in most tropical countries. Previous studies have investigated on its pharmacological activities of the seeds of C. sophera including analgesic and anticonvulsant [1], antidiabetic [2], inhibition of lipid peroxidation [3], herbicidal [4], and fungicidal [5] effects. The chemical constituents of C. sophera include the flavonoids [6, 7] and anthraquinone [8, 9]. To the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific report of hepatoprotective effect of C. sophera. The present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of leaves of C. sophera against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats
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