Hepatoprotective Activity Of Aqueous Extract Of Fruit Pulp Of Cassia Fistula (AFCF) Against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCL4) Induced Liver Damage In Albino Rats.
1133-1138
Correspondence
DasS,MD (pharmacology)
Department of Pharmacology,
Assam Medical College & Hospital
Dibrugarh, Assam, Pin: 786002,
phone: 9435030220
E-mail: sdasbarua@yahoo.co.in
Objective: To evaluate Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of fruit pulp of Cassia fistula (AFCF) against Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced liver damage in albino rats and compared to standard drug silymarin.
Materials And Methods: Healthy albino rats of either sex weighing 150-200gm were divided into four groups of six animals each.
Group A (Normal control) – 3% gum acacia (2ml/kg/day) orally and olive oil s.c.
Group B (Exp.Control) – 3% gum acacia orally and CCL4 and olive oil (1:1 v/v) s.c.
Group C (Test) – AFCF (200mg/kg/day) orally and CCL4 s.c.
Group D (Standard) - Silymarin (100mg/kg/day) and CCL4 s.c.
Hepatic injury was induced to animals belonging to group B, C and D by giving CCL4 & olive oil mixture s.c on 2nd and 3rd day of experiment. Standard and test drugs were administered for 5 days. Blood samples were collected on 6th day for determination of enzyme markers viz, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and total protein (TP). Histopathological examinations of liver tissues were also performed.
Results: One way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis. Values of p < 0.01 were considered significant. There was significant (p<0.01) increase in all serum marker enzymes and total bilirubin and significant (p<0.01) decrease in total protein in group B. The AFCF and Silymarin resulted in significant (p<0.01) reduction in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TB and increase in TP as compared to group B. Fatty changes, necrosis and fibrosis were observed in group B on histopathology, while in group C and D it was near normal.
Conclusion: As revealed by the study aqueous extract of fruit pulp of Cassia fistula possesses significant hepatoprotective activity.