HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF NARINGI CRENULATA (ROXB) NICOLSON AGAINST CCl4 INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

The present study was designed to screen and evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of leaf and bark of Naringi crenulata (Roxb) Nicolson (NCL, NCB) against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver functions were assessed by the activities of liver marker enzymes, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total protein, albumin, globulin, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubins. It also exhibited antioxidant activity by showing the increased activity of SOD, CAT, GPx and GRD and decreased in TBARS compared to CCl4 treated groups. Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug is used for comparison. The plant extracts were effective in protecting liver against injury induced by CCl4 in rats. INTRODUCTION: Liver is one of the largest chief organs in the human body regulating many important metabolic functions . It is involved with almost all the biochemical pathways to growth, fight against disease, nutrient supply, energy provision and reproduction 2, 3, 4 and thus, it is an important target of toxicity to xenobiotics, oxidative stress, ethanol and toxic chemicals. The toxins absorbed from the intestinal tract go first to the liver resulting in a variety of liver ailments . Hepatitis and cirrhosis are the two diseases that can badly damage the liver. Hepatitis is an inflammation of liver caused by certain viruses. Cirrhosis changes the structure of the liver and hence it fails to function properly leading to retention of toxins in the blood. Therefore, damage to the liver inflicted by hepatotoxic agents is of great concern . Drug induced liver toxicity is a common cause of liver injury . Carbon tetrachloride consistently causes liver toxicity, resulting in fatty degeneration, cellular necrosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis . Natural remedies from medicinal plants are considered to be effective and safe alternative treatment for hepatotoxicity due to their inherent distinct physical and chemical properties, leading to diverse pharmacological properties. Naringi crenulata (Roxb) Nicolson (FamRutaceae), a tree with green foliage, grows abundantly in different parts of India. The therapeutic effect of the fruits, leaves and roots of this plant in the treatment of different tropical diseases is well documented in the folk medicine . However, no systematic attempts have been made to establish scientific basis of beneficial effects of Naringi crenulata leaves and bark extracts. Realising its medicinal properties, the present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extracts of Naringi crenulata on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver toxicity in rats.