Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of Amaranthus viridis Linn

Aim:  To study heaptoprotective activity of methanolic extract of whole plant of  Amaranthus viridis  Linn (MeAv) in paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods:  MeAv was screened for hepatoprotective activity in PCM (3 g/kg) induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats for 15 days at dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg by measuring liver marker enzymes (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), bilirubin (total bilirubin and direct bilirubin) and albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) levels and histopathological studies. Antioxidant activities were studies by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and total thiols (TT) in liver homegenate of treated animals. Results:  MeAv significantly (P<0.001) decreases the elevated liver marker enzymes (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), bilirubin (total bilirubin and direct bilirubin) and restores albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) levels. A histopathological study also showed liver protective activity of MeAv. In  in vivo antioxidant studies, the MeAv has significantly restored the malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and total thiols. Conclusion:  In conclusion, administration of MeAv for 15 days showed liver protective activity against paracetamol induced liver damage and the potential antioxidant property of MeAv thought to be the mechanism behind its hepatoprotective activity.