PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF C. PENTANDRA ON THIOACETAMIDEINDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS
Methanolic extract of Ceiba Pentandra was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in rats. The plant extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against Thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. Thioacetamide induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO) with a reduction of total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), vitamin C and E. Treatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.001) altered serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels to near normal against acetaminophen treated rats. Also the extract was effectively altered the drug metabolizing enzymes such as Cytochrome P450, NADPH Cytochrome C reductase and glutathione S transferase. The activity of the extract at dose of 400 mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control. Results indicate that the Ceiba Pentandra have significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.