EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF FLOWERS OF VITEX TRIFOLIA LINN. ON CCl4 INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY IN RATS

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of flowers of Vitex trifolia (Verbenaceae) was studied against CCl4 induced hepatic injury in albino rats. The plant extract (EVT) at the dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o. showed a remarkable hepatoprotective activity. CCl4 induced a significant rise in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP). Treatment of rats with EVT significantly (P<0.001) altered serum biomarker enzyme levels to near normal against CCl4 treated rats. The activity of the extract was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological observations also revealed that treatment with EVT protected the animals from CCl4 induced liver damage. The results indicate that the flowers of V. trifolia possess hepatoprotective activity on CCl4 induced hepatic injury in rats.