Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Ecbolium viride (Forssk.) Alston roots against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar rats

Abstract

AimLiver disease is one of the common health problems as it is exposed to many kinds of therapeutic agents and xenobiotics. The present investigation was aimed at examining the possible antioxidant and protective role of Ecbolium viride (Forssk.) Alston against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. MethodsThe plant extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes in rats. Paracetamol induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin. Treatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) altered serum marker enzymes levels to near normal against paracetamol treated rats. The activity of the extract at dose of 400 mg/kg was approximately comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25 mg/kg, p.o.). ResultsAntioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by using diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, Nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging, Superoxide radical scavenging, Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging, Hydroxy radical scavenging and Lipid peroxidation inhibitory methods. Histopathological changes of liver samples were compared with respective control. ConclusionThe present study revealed that ethanolic extract of E. viride (Forssk.) Alston roots has significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and antioxidant potential.