Antihepatotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of callus culture of Tephrosia purpurea (L) pers.

Tephorsia purpurea Linn. (Fabaceae), commonly known as Saraphunkha, is an important indigenous medicinal plant used for centuries in Indian System of Medicine (ISM). It is an important ingredient of several marketed herbal formulations like Tephroli and Yakrifit used for liver disorders. Various plant parts have been used as remedy for impotency, asthma, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, and urinary disorders (1). Experimental studies showed that T. purpurea also possessed antiulcer (2), antitumor (3), antilipid peroxidation activity (4). The plant has also been considered useful in bilious fibrile attacks as well as in obstruction of liver and spleen (5ñ8). The seed extract is reported to produce antihyperglycemic and antilipid peroxidation activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (9). The hepatoprotective potential of aerial plant parts has been reported (10), in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity animal experimental model. Due to over exploitation of plant for the preparation of several herbal formulations, the plant is likely to become instinct. Hence, it was thought worthwhile to develop in vitro cultures of T. purpurea as an alternative source for the production of plant material. In present investigation in vitro callus cultures of root of T. purpurea were developed on MS basal medium and its aqueous extract was screened for antihepatotoxic potential using CCl4 as toxicant. The antihepatotoxic potential of in vitro produced callus cultures was also compared with that of natural root. EXPERIMENTAL