Hepatoprotective Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Ficus carica Linn. Leaves in Carbon Tetrachloride- Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The ethanolic extract of Ficus carica leaves was screened for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity in hepatotoxic Albino rats induced via carbon tetrachloride. The degree of protection was measured by estimating biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), total protein (TP), total albumin (TA), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and the level of total serum bilirubin. The extract in addition reduced CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation in-vivo and in-vitro. The ethanolic extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg) exhibited significant hepatoprotection in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats in a dose dependant manner. The hepatoprotective effects of the extract were comparable with the standard drug silymarin (10 mg/kg body weight, IP).