Hepatoprotective effect of Plumbago indica root extract on thioacetamide-induced liver damage in rats

Experiments were designed to establish the hepatoprotective activity of Plumbago indica (PLBM) methanolic root extracts at different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) against thioacetamide-induced liver damage in albino Wistar rats. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by evaluating the activity of liver-function marker enzymes such as aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase as well as antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione. Lipid peroxidation was measured as malonaldehyde, a thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. Liver histopathological changes were also evaluated. PLBM administration was found to markedly prevent the elevation of serum liver enzymes and conjugated dienes, and significantly increase hepatic levels of antioxidant markers. Histological findings also confirmed the PLBM protective effects on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, results from the present study demonstrate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of PLBM, strongly suggesting that it could be used as a rich source of natural antioxidants.