Studies on hepatoprotective effect of hexane extract of Dillenia indica against CCl4 induced toxicity and its safety evaluation in wistar albino rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and safety evaluation of hexane extract of Dillenia indica seed in wistar albino rats. The different groups of animals were administered with 30% CCl4 (1 ml kg-1b wt) in olive oil intraperitoneally. The seed extract at the dose of 250 and 500 mg kg-1b wt were administered to the CCl4 treated rats. The seed extract produced significant (p<0.01) hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin, urea, creatinine and lipid peroxidation and significantly (p<0.01) increased the level of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST, GSH, Vitamin C and E and protein. Sub-acute toxicity studies showed no alteration in biochemical parameters (p<0.01) compared to control groups. DNA damage of rat WBC caused by CCl4 injection was considerably counteracted by treatment with the extract. From the results it was suggested that seed extract possess potent hepatoprotective antioxidant properties and no toxic effects.