Hepatoprotective studies on Utleria salicifolia Bedd. Ex. Hook. f.

The present study was aimed at assessing the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of Utleria salicifolia rhizome (US) against paracetamol (APAP)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced hepatic damage in Wistar rats. US extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) and standard, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) were tested for their anti - hepatotoxic activity against APAP/CCl4. The treatments substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) and bilirubin (SB). These values were restored towards normalization in rats pretreated with US (100 and 200 mg/kg), before the hepatotoxin administration. The biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. US also showed significant free radical scavenging activity in vitro. The results justify the use of U. salicifolia rhizome as a hepatoprotective agent. The results of the study indicate that US rhizome possesses potential hepatoprotective activity against APAP/CCl4 induced liver toxicity, which may be attributed to its free radical scavenging potential, due to the active constituents present in it.