HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF LEPIDIUM SATIVUM L. SEEDS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

摘要

Protective actions of Lepidium sativum L. aqueous and alcoholic extracts were evaluated in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL). Male albino rats were divided into 10 groups. Group Gl was normal control group; groupsG2-G10 received CCL (paraffin oil, 25 ul/kg b.w.). After inducing hepatic damage, group G2 served as control for CCL; groups G3-G5 received different doses of Lepidium sativum ethanol extract (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg), groups G6-G8 received different doses of Lepidium sativum aqueous extract (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), respectively, for 60 days. The activities of extracts were also comparable to that of two standard drugs Ursoplus 5.6 mg/kg and Hepa-Merz 71.4 mg/kg (G9) and Legalon 6 mg/kg (G10), known ashepatoprotec-tive. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage were tested in all groups. Sections of livers were observed under the microscope for the histopathologi-cal changes. Levels of marker enzymes, such as ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, were increased significantly (p<0.05) in CCL treated rats (group 2). In groups 3-10, decreased activities of these enzymes were observed. In addition, treatment of CCL (positive control) resulted in markedly decreasedlevels of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in rats. Treatment of the rats with Lepidium sativum L. aqueous and alcoholic extracts with CCL, administration caused a significant reduction in the values of hydrogen peroxide, y-glutamyl transferase,MDA, total cholesterol and LDL (P<0.05), almost comparable to the standard drugs. The extract also similarly caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in HDL values compared with CCL-treated group, and liver weight with respect to CCLt-toxic rats. Histopathological profiles showed that out of all the extracts, ethanol and aqueous extracts had significant protective effect against CCLt-induced liver injury which is comparable with the standard drug. Thus, the results suggest that Lepidium sativum aqueous and alcoholic extracts acts as a potent hepatoprotective agent against CCLt-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.