Phytochemistry and Hepatoprotective Activity of Chloroform Extract of NKC Ingredient in Santalum album Against D-Galactosamine Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Nilavembu Kudineer Chooranam is the combination of nine plant materials. The nine components are Nilavempu (Andrographis paniculata), Vettiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), Vilamiccamver (plectranthus vettiveroides), Santanam (Santalum album), Peyputtal (Trichosanthes dioica), Koraikkilanku (Cyperus rotandus), Cukku (Zingeber officinale), Milaku (Piper nigrum), Parpatakam (Mollugo cerviana). All these plants are used conventionally in the treatment of fever, inflammation, arthralgia, arthritis, gastric ulcer, jaundice, and general weaknes
 Methods: About 500gm of dried fine powder of Santalum album were soaked in the extractor and macerated for 30 hrs with petroleum ether. On the 22ndday after overnight fast the blood was collected from retro- orbital After the separation of serum from the blood assay of ALT, AST, ALP, γGT and bilirubin were done using standard methods and enzyme assay tests.
 Results: The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the Chloroform extract of Santalum album reveals the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, phenol, coumarin, and tannin. The pretreatment of chloroform extract of Santalum album at a dose of 200mg and 400mg/kg (group IV and V) appeared to significantly prevent the galactosamine toxicity as revealed by the hepatic cells which were preserved in cytoplasms.
 Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that chloroform extract of Santalum album at both doses possesses hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity, which is evidenced by lowered serum hepatic marker enzyme activities. Among the two dosages tested, 400 mg/kg/body weight showed more promising hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity, and is comparable to the standard drug Silymarin.
 Keywords: Nilavembu Kudineer Chooranam, Chloroform extract of Santalum album, preliminary phytochemical analysis, Hepatoprotective activity, D-Galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats.