Hepatoprotective activity of Morus alba (Linn.) leaves extract against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Morus alba Linn. leaves extracts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. Leaves powder of Morus alba was successively extracted with petroleum ether extract (PEE), chloroform extract (CHE), alcoholic extract (ALE) and water extract (AQE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity using Standard drug Liv-52. Preliminary phytochemical tests were done. The ALE showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoides, carbohydrates, tannins and steroids, while carbohydrates, flavonoides, alkaloids were present with AQE. The PEE, CHE, ALE did not produce any mortality. Carbon tetrachloride produced significant changes in biochemical parameters (increases in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alanine phosphatase (ALP) and serum bilirubin.) and histological (damage to hepatocytes) using Standard drug Liv-52. Pretreatment with ALE and AQE extracts significantly prevented the biochemical and histological changes induced by CCl4 in the liver. The present study shows that the ALE and AQE extracts possessed hepatoprotective activity. Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective, leaves extracts of Morus albaLinn.