Hepatoprotective Effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on Biochemical Indices Induced by Acetaminophen Toxicity in Wistar rats

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Compositae) has been used in various parts of the world for the treatment of various diseases based on their age-old use in folklore system. Present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of acetone and n-hexane extracts of Ageratum conyzoides in wistar rats following acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity. Single high dose exposure of APAP significantly (p<0.05) increased in ALT, AST, and GGT activity and levels of BUN, CR, unconjugated bilirubin and A/G ratio, whereas activity of LDH-P, total protein, albumin, globulin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) reduced as compared to control. Pre-exposure with acetone and n-hexane extracts of A. conyzoides restore the values of ALT, GGT, LDH-P, albumin, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin as compared to control whereas the AST, globulin, A/G ratio, BUN and CR levels are not restored by administration of plant extracts. It is evident from observations that acetone and n-hexane extracts of A. conyzoides was able to restore the levels of SGPT, SGOT, LDH and bilirubin as an indication of the stabilization of plasma membrane as well as repair of hepatic tissue damages caused by APAP.