Hepatoprotective activity of Allium paradoxum.

OBJECTIVE Recent studies show that free radicals are important mediators of hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride. Allium (A.) paradoxum showed antioxidant and antihemolytic activities. This work was conduct to determine the possible protective effect of this plant against hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subcutaneous injection of 3 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride diluted in olive oil (1:1 dilution) was employed for inducing acute liver toxicity. The protective effect of aerial parts and bulbs of A. paradoxum at flowering stage were determined. RESULTS Both aerial parts and bulbs extracts at the doses 500 and 750 mg/kg, i.p. offered significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing the serum marker enzymes, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Histopathological studies further confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts and bulbs extracts when compared with the CCl4 treated groups. CONCLUSION Extracts of A. paradoxum showed significant hepatoprotective activity compared with control group.