HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ROOT BARK OF AZIMA TETRACANTHA LAM. AGAINST CARBON TETRA CHLORIDE (CCL4)-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR MALE ALBINO RATS
The present study to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol (50%) extract of Azima tetracantha Lam (EEAT) root bark using CCl4 induced hepatic damage in male Wistar albino rats. The EEAT root bark at doses of 40, 80 and 120mg/kg, p.o and the standard drug Liv.52 (40mg/kg,p.o) were administered orally for 7 days in CCl4 intoxicated rats. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed by using various biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP), also total bilirubin along with histopathological studies of liver tissue. The biochemical changes and histopathological studies were observed on 8th day. There was a significant increase in serum levels of SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP), also total bilirubin in the CCl 4 treated animals, reflecting liver injury. The administration of EEAT root bark at doses of 40, 80 and 120mg/kg, p.o for 3days resulted in significant decrease (P<0.001) the CCl4-induced elevated levels of the hepatic enzymes SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) also total bilirubin in a dose dependent manner. Whereas the extract at tested doses decreases the CCl4-induced elevated level of hepatic enzymes, and also total bilirubin in rats, and its subsequent return towards near normalcy after 7days indicating the recovery of hepatic cells. The histological studies were also carried out to support the above parameters. In the liver sections of the rats treated with EEAT root bark extract for 7 days, the normal cellular architecture was retained as compared to Liv.52, there by further confirming the potent hepatoprotective effect of EEAT root bark. The ethanol (50%) extract of Azima tetracantha Lam (EEAT) root bark afforded significant protection against CCl 4 induced hepatocellular injury. To our knowledge, this report is the first that shows hepatoprotective effect of Azima tetracantha Lam. (Salvodaraceae) root bark against CCl 4 induced liver damage.