Hepatoprotective effect of Averrhoea carambola fruit extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Abstract

Objective To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Averroha carambola fruit extract against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury. Methods Hepatotoxicity was induced on albino mice by intraperitoneal administration of CCl 4, half an hour after the administration of the last dose of the extract of Averroha carambola fruit. Aqueous extract of the fruit of Averroha carambola was administered at a dose of 0.9 g/kg body weight once daily for seven days. The hepatic injury and its prevention was assessed by the estimation of serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), glutathione level and histopathological studies of liver. Results Pre-treatment of mice with the fruit extract of Averrhoea carambola significantly reduced serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzyme and significantly increased the liver reduced glutathione levels 24 h after the administration of carbon tetrachloride. A marked improvement in the enzyme activities and the liver reduced glutathione level was observed in the pre-treated mice 4 days after the administration of carbon tetrachloride. Histopathological studies provided supportive evidence for the biochemical analysis. Conclusions The aqueous extract of the fruit of Averrhoea carambola has hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in mice.