Hepato Protective and Antioxidant Role of Berberis tinctoria Lesch Leaves on Paracetamol Induced Hepatic Damage in Rats

The scientific evaluation of medicinal plants used in the preparation of folk remedies has provided modern medicine with effective pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases. The methanol extract of Berberis tinctoria Lesch (Berberidaceae) leaves was investigated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects on paracetamol (750 mg/kg) induced acute liver damage in Wistar albino rats. Hepatoprotection activity was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase and serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and total protein. The methanol extract of Berberis tinctoria (MEBT) at the doses of (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/Kg) produced significant hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation while it significantly increased the levels of glutathione (GSH), catalyse (CAT) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) in a dose dependant manner. The effects of MEBT were comparable to that of standard drug silymarin. These results suggest that MEBT may have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of some liver disorders, probably by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes.