Hepatoprotective activity of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. J. Roem. leaf extract in paracetamol intoxicated rats

Methanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. J. Roem. leaves (MELC) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective potential against paracetamol intoxicated wistar rats. Administration of MELC and standard drug silymarin showed significant (P <0.05) hepatoprotective protection in experimental animals. The study was conducted by estimating serum enzyme activities of serum glutamate oxaloacatate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT)), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin and by estimation of some serum antioxidant enzymes. Elevated serum marker enzymes of SGOT, SGPT, ALP and serum bilirubin were significantly (P <0.001) reduced to near normal level in MELC treated animals. Lipid peroxidation level was decreased significantly by MELC 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses treatment groups. In case of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH and catalase levels were increased significantly (P <0.001) after treatment with MELC. The extract showed a dose-dependent reduction of paracetamol induced elevated serum levels of enzyme activities indicating the extract could preserve the normal functional status of the liver. Results of this study demonstrated that L. cylindrica has good hepatoprotective potential.