HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF KIRGANELIA RETICULATA POIR. (BAILL) ROOT AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATO-TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: To demonstrate the in-vivo hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extracts of root of Kirganelia reticulata Poir (Baill) against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: Wistar rats of either sex were divided into six groups with six in each group. Group 1-Normal control: The animals were maintained under normal control, which were given 0.5% Tween 80 used as vehicle. Group 2-Induction of hepatotoxicity: The animals received paracetamol (2gm/kg, p.o.) every 72 h for 7 days. Group 3: The animals were treated with Silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) which served as standard. Groups 4 to 6: Animals received ethanolic root extract of K. reticulata (EEKR) at (100, 200 & 300 mg/kg, p.o.) everyday for 7 days. Groups 3 to 6 were intoxicated with paracetamol (2gm/kg, p.o.) 1 h before the administration of extract or Silymarin for 7 days. Histopathological findings, different hepatic biochemical parameters viz. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT), serum alkaline Phosphatase (sALP), Total bilirubin, Total albumin & blood urea were evaluated to investigate the hepatoprotective activity. Results: Paracetamol induced a significant rise in sGOT, sGPT, sALP, Total bilirubin, Total albumin, & blood urea estimation. Administration of 300 mg/kg, p.o. ethanolic root extract of K. reticulata less effectively reduced these pathological damages caused by paracetamol intoxication. The ethanolic root extract of K. reticulata also promoted the body weight in Wistar rats as shown in Figure 1. Histopathological changes of the liver were compared with the normal control as shown in Figures 2-6 respectively. Conclusions: The ethanolic roots extract at dose of 300mg/kg, p.o. of K. reticulata have significant effect on hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.