Amelioration of carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats by standardized Feronia limonia. Linn leaf extracts

The hepatoprotective potential of standardized Feronia limonia (Family, Rutaceae) methanolic extract (FL-7) and chloroform soluble fraction (FL-9) were assessed against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats treated with CCl4 recorded significant elevation in plasma markers of hepatic injury, alteration in hepatic antioxidant status and histopathological damages. However, rats pretreated with FL-7 (200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and FL-9 (100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 days and later administered CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) recorded lowered indices of the above mentioned parameters and minimal histological damage in a dose dependent manner. These results were comparable to that of CCl4+silymarin treated rats. The results obtained with FL-7 and FL-9 are attributable to their free radical scavenging potential due to high contents of polyphenols and flavonols recorded herein. Overall, this study establishes the efficacy of FL-7 and FL-9 as hepatoprotective agents against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.