Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Euphorbia tirucalli

Treatment of diseases with natural remedies is gaining popularity because of its fewer side effects.   A systemic and scientific investigation of aqueous extract of Euphorbia tirucalli for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats was carried out . Antioxidant property was assessed by using reducing property, superoxide anion scavanging and hydroxyl radical scavenging property. Hepato-protective property was assessed by measuring the extent of reversal of enhanced biochemical markers of hepatitis, like Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase, Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase ALP, Biluribin, cholesterol, triglycerides and also by estimating the tissue glutathione (GSH) levels and the extent of reduction in the tissue lipid peroxidation . The aqueous extract has demonstrated dose-dependant invitro antioxidant property (at 20 m g, 40 m g, 60 m g, 80 m g, 100 m g) in all the models of the study. Similarly, aqueous extract of Euphorbia tirucalli at the doses of 125mg/kg and 250mg/kg produced significant hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the serum enzymes, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides and tissue lipid peroxidation, while it significantly increased the levels of tissue GSH in a dose-dependant manner.   From the present study, it may be concluded that the test extract possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. The hepatoprotective property may be attributed to its antioxidant potential.