Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the restorative effect of the aqueous leaf extract (85%) of the traditional medicinal plant Eclipta alba (E. alba) against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Methods: Restorative activity was assessed using CCl4-induced hepatic injury in rats by monitoring biochemical parameters. Biochemical markers of hepatic damage such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed in serum. The oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the levels of thiobarbutric acid reactive substance (TBARS), hydroperoxides, activity levels of enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in hepatic tissue. Results: CCl 4 and olive oil mixture (1:1 dosage of 1 mL/kg b.w.) induced oxidative stress was indicated by elevated levels of TBARS and hydroperoxides, and augmented levels of serum AST, ALT and ALP. The depleted activity levels of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX and GST were found in CCl 4 induced animals. The aqueous leaf extract of E. alba (250 mg/kg b.w.) ameliorated the effects of CCl 4 and returned the alter levels of the biochemical markers near to the normal levels. Conclusions: The study indicates that aqueous leaf extract of E. alba has potential restorative effect on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats.

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