Studies on protective effect of Cyperus Scariosus extract on acetaminophen and CCl 4-induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

1. 1. The hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-methanolic extract of Cyperus scariosus (Cyperaceae) was investigated against acetaminophen and CCl 4-induced hepatic damage. 2. 2. Acetaminophen produced 100% mortality at a dose of 1 g/kg in mice while pretreatment of animals with plant extract (500 mg/kg) reduced the death rate to 30%. 3. 3. Acetaminophen at a dose of 640 mg/kg produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) to 430 ± 68, 867 ± 305 and 732 ± 212 IU/1 ( n = 10) respectively, compared to respective control values of 202 ± 36, 59 ± 14 and 38 ± 7. 4. 4. Pretreatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg) significantly lowered ( P < 0.05) the respective serum ALP, GOT and GPT levels to 192 ± 31, 63 ± 9 and 35 ± 8. 5. 5. The hepatotoxic dose of CCl 4 (1.5ml/kg; orally) raised serum ALP, GOT and GPT levels to 328 ± 30, 493 ± 102 and 357 ± 109 IU/1 ( n = 10) respectively, compared to respective control values of 177 ± 21, 106 ± 15 and 47 ± 12. 6. 6. The same dose of plant extract (500 mg/kg) was able to significantly prevent ( P < 0.05) CCl 4-induced rise in serum enzymes and the estimated values of ALP, GOT and GPT were 220 ± 30, 207 ± 95 and 75 ± 38, respectively. 7. 7. The plant extract also prevented CCl 4-induced prolongation in pentobarbital sleeping time confirming hepatoprotectivity. 8. 8. These results indicate that the Cyperus scariosus possesses hepatoprotective activity and thus, rationalizes the folkloric use of this plant in hepato-biliary disorders.