EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF GLYCOSMIS PENTAPHYLLA ROOTS AGAINST CCl4 – INDUCED ACUTE LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Rutaceae) are well known in India as Ashvashakota, Vananimbuka, Pathalagarudi (Sanskrit), Ban-nimbu (Hindi), Kirmira (Marathi) Golugu and Gongipadu (Telugu) of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was prepared and tested for its hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride induced in rats. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin were tested in both treated and untreated groups. Carbon tetrachloride has enhanced the SGPT, SGOT, ALP and bilirubin levels. Treatment with ethyl acetate extract of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Rutaceae) roots has brought back the altered levels of biochemical markers to the near normal levels in the dose dependent manner. This was evident from significant reduction in serum enzyme, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and Total bilirubin (TB). Though both the extracts were recorded with significant hepatoprotective activity with same “p” value (p<0.01). Various pathological changes like centribular necrosis and vacuolization were observed in CCl4 treated rats, which were significant protective activity in groups treated with GP and silymarin. It was concluded from the study that ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of GP possess hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.