Hepatoprotective activity of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. leaves against D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (ETD) against D-galactosamine induced liver damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by D-Galactosamine (270 mg/kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 14th day of total two week experiment whereas the extract of investigated plant was given orally throughout the whole experiment at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. Silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) was given orally as standard hepatoprotective drug. Pre-treatment withethanolic extract of leaves of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. was effective in protecting the liver against the injury induced by D-galactosamine in rats. The degree of hepatoprotection was evident from significant reduction in serum enzymes like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Histopathological observations of livers sections were also supplemented these biochemical observations. It was concluded from the results that the ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. leaves reduces D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats.