HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF AEGLE MARRMELOS AGAINST ETHANOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

This study investigated heapatoprotective activity of various extracts of Aegle Marmelos, belonging to the family Rutaceae, in Wistar Female rats with liver damage induced by ethanol. Herbal drugs play crucial role in treatment of various diseases due to its antioxidant property. It was found that AMCL, AMAL & AMAQ, at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight exhibited hepatoprotective effect by lowering the Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphate and total bilirubin to a significant extent. The groups treated with various extract of A.Marmelos & Silyamarine shows significant (P<0.001) restoration of liver weight & liver volume nearer to normal control group. Since results of biochemical studies of blood samples of ethanol treated rats showed significant increase in the levels of serum enzyme activities, reflecting the liver injury caused by ethanol and blood samples from the animals treated with AMCL & AMAQ showed significant decrease in the levels of serum markers, indicating the protection of hepatic cells against ethanol induced hepatocellular injury. The effects of AEAC and AQEAC were comparable with standard drug silymarin.