In Vitro and in Vivo Antihepatotoxic Activity of Oroxylum Indicum against Carbon-tetrachloride Induced Hepatic Damage

Evaluation of the anti-hepatotoxic activity of methanoldichloromethane (MDM) extract of Oroxylum indicum (OI) whole plant on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver explant cultures (in-vitro) and chronic liver damage in rats (in-vivo). In toxicant (CCl4) treated explants culture set (in-vitro), the marker enzymes GOT, GPT and ALP level increased significantly (p<0.001) when compared to control set. Treatment of CCl4-intoxicated liver explant culture sets with MDM extract of OI whole plant at a concentration of 3.3 mg/ml attenuated the marker enzymes GOT, GPT and ALP levels in culture supernatants significantly (p<0.001) as compared to CCl4 treated explant culture sets. A significant hepatocellular damage as evident from significant elevation in serum activities of GOT, GPT, ALP, bilirubin concentration (total and direct) with decrease in albumin and total protein were found in CCl4: liquid paraffin (1:1) treated animals (in-vivo) when compared to normal values. The MDM extract of OI whole plant (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) exhibited a significant reduction (p<0.001) in CCl4: liquid paraffin (1:1) induced increased serum levels of GOT, GPT, ALP and bilirubin concentration whereas the albumin and total protein content increased thus reversing hepatotoxicity causing significant liver recovery. Mild swelling of hepatic cells with minimal hepato-cellular injury is shown in T.S of liver tissue from OI extract treated group in contrasts to toxic group. The study suggested the hepatoprotective activity of MDM extract of O. indicum whole plant in-vitro and in-vivo against CCl4 –induced hepatotoxicity. INTRODUCTION: The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. Certain medicinal agents when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when introduced within therapeutic ranges may injure the organ.