HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND DIURETIC ACTIVITIES OF ALCOHOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF EPALTES PYGMAEA DC. (ASTERACEAE)

Objective: Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of whole plant of Epaltes pygmaea DC. (Family Asteraceae) were screened for hepatoprotective and diuretic activities at the doses of 200 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight of AlEp and AqEp. Methods: Paracetamol was used to induce liver injury in rats and silymarin was used as the standard drug in hepatoprotective activity. Furosemide was used as reference drug for diuretic activity. Results: The plant extracts were effective in protecting the liver injury induced by paracetamol in rats. This was evident from significant reduction in serum enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphotase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Increased urine volume and urinary electrolytes excretion showed significant diuretic result at tested dose levels. Conclusion: The alcoholic and aqueous extract of E.pygmaea possesses hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats and also have potent diuretic activity.