Hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of plant extract of Callicarpa macrophylla in rats

Abstract

This paper evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous alcoholic (60%) extract of the aerial parts of Callicarpa macrophylla (Verbenaceae) against Paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. The powder of the aerial parts was extracted with aqueous alcoholic (60%) and the resultant extract was subjected for phytochemical analysis to identify different phytoconstituents. Preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, triterpenes and saponins, as major secondary metabolites. Some of the physiochemical parameters such as ash value, extractive value and loss on drying were also studied. Hepatoprotective activity of extract was studied against Paracetamol (3 g/kg b.w./p.o. 3 days) and carbon tetrachloride (2 ml/kg, b.w. /S.C. 4 days) induced hepatotoxicity. Standard drug was used for hepatoprotection (Silymarin 25 mg/kg, b.w./p.o.). Treatment of animal with hydro-alcoholic extract of aerial parts of C. macrophylla significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of SGOT in serum which is an indicative of hepatoprotective activity. Also brought down was the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) significantly (p < 0.05 in 200 mg/kg b.w. and p < 0.01 in 100 mg/kg b.w. doses). Other than these parameters level of bilirubin (total and direct) and histopathological studied also was indicative of hepatoprotective property of the plant extract. In conclusion, it is observed that hydro-alcoholic extract of aerial parts of C. macrophylla possess hepatoprotective property which was evident by biochemical parameters and histopathological reports.

Keywords: Hepatoprotective activity, aerial part, Callicarpa macrophylla, anti-inflammatory activity.