Full Length Research Paper

Hepatoprotective activity of Bi - herbal ethanolic extract on CCl₄ induced hepatic damage in rats

Samudram P.¹*, Rajeshwari Hari², Vasuki R.³, Geetha A.⁴ and Sathiya Moorthi P.²

¹Department of Biochemistry, SRM Medical College and Research Centre, Chennai, India.
²Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India.
³Department of Biochemistry, Vels college of Pharmacy, Chennai, India.
⁴Department of Biochemistry, Bharathi Women’s College, Chennai, India.
 

*Corresponding author. E-mail: rajihar@gmail.com. Phone: +919840774705

Accepted 6 February 2008

   Abstract

The combined hepatoprotective effect of Bi- herbal ethanolic extract (BHEE) was evaluated against carbon tetra chloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic damage in rats. Ethanolic extract from the leaves of Eclipta alba and seeds of Piper longum at a dose level of 50 mg/kg body weight was administered orally daily once for 14 days. The substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, LDH, ACP, gGT and 5’ Nucleotidase, due to CCl₄ treatment were restored towards normalization. The biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were also restored towards normal levels. In addition, BHEE significantly decreased the liver weight of CCl₄ intoxicated rats. Silymarin at a dose level of 50 mg/kg was used as a standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity. The results of this study strongly indicate that BHEE has got a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl₄ induced hepatic damage in rats.

Key words: Hepatoprotective, marker enzymes, Bi-herbal ethanolic extract, carbon tetra chloride.