Hepatoprotective activity of Melia azedarach leaf extract against simvastatin induced Hepatotoxicity in rats

A Srinivasa Rao

doi:10.7324/japs.2012.2721

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Melia azedarach L leaves extracts against simvastatin induced hepatotoxicity. The phytochemical screening was carried on the leaves extracts of Melia azedarach revealed the presence of some active ingredients such as Alkaloids, Tannins, Sponginess, Phenols, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. Leaves of Melia azedarach was successively extracted with ethanol against simvastatin (20mg/kg.p.o) induced hepatotoxicity using Standard drug Silymarin (25 mg/kg). There was a significant changes in biochemical parameters (increases in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alanine phosphatase (ALP),serum bilirubin and decrease the total proteins content.) in simvastatin treated rats, which were restored towards normalization in Melia azedarach (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) treated animals. Thus the present study ascertains that the leaf extract of Melia azedarach possesses significant hepatoprotective activity.

Highlights

In ancient Indian literature, it is mentioned that every plant on this earth is useful for human beings, animals and other plants
Its fruits extracts possess ovicidal Corpinella et al, 2006) and larvicidal activity (Wandscheer et al, 2004).The leafs extracts possess antiviral(Descalzo et al.,1989) and antifertility activity(Choudhary et al.,1990).The main objective of this study was to assess the hepatoprotective effect of Melia azedarach linn, in simvastatin induced hepatotoxicity
There was a significant increase in bilirubin levels, SGOT, SGPT and ALP, in Simvastatin intoxicated group compared to the normal control group

Summary

Introduction

In ancient Indian literature, it is mentioned that every plant on this earth is useful for human beings, animals and other plants. The liver is the key organ regulating homeostasis in the body. It is involved with almost all the biochemical pathways related to growth, fight against diseases, nutrient supply, energy provision and reproduction (Ward et al, 1999). Only a few hepatoprotective drugs and those from natural sources are available for the treatment of liver disorders (Ross et al, 1996). The disorders associated with the liver are numerous and varied (Wolf P et al, 1999). More than 900 drugs have been implicated in causing liver injury (Friedman et al, 2003) and it is the most common reason for a drug to be withdrawn from the market. Druginduced liver injury is responsible for 5% of all hospital admissions and 50% of all acute liver failures (Friedman et al, 2006; Ostapowicz et al, 2002)

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