Hepatoprotective activity of herbal extract mixture (HEM) on ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Ayurveda an ancient Indian system of medicine claims to have remedy for disorders likes’ jaundice and liver cirrhosis, which is inadequate with present allopathy. The present study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of some herbal extracts mixture (HEM) against ethanol induced liver damage in experimental animal models. An attempt is made to prepare formulation with herbal extracts that possess membrane stabilizing activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The selected aqueous herbal extracts include Phyllanthus amarus, Terminalia chebula, Ricinus communis, Cichorium intybus, Vitex negundo, Aloe vera of various parts use in the formulation. In Prophylactic in vivo studies with the ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats, the herbal formulation showed dose dependent effect at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight and compared to 100 mg/kg dose of silymarin in preventing the rise in the levels of ALP, SGOT, SGPT and BIT compared to matching controls. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins and polyphenolic compounds present in the herbal extracts might be responsible for the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of herbal formulation.