Evaluation of Hepatoprotective activity of Aerial extracts of Trapa natansagainst CCl4 induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extracts of Trapa natans against all the chemical induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by using Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced toxicity models in rats.  Silymarin was used as a standard drug. This chemical is well-known hepatotoxin, when exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes liver injury by the formation of free radicals. Animals were pre-treated with the methanolic extracts of Trapa natans for one week and then challenged with CCl₄ (1.5 ml/kg) in olive oil (1:1, v/v) on 7^thday . Serum marker enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT and Total bilirubin) were estimated in all the study groups. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like AST, ALT, ALP and Total bilirubin were tested in both toxic-treated and extract-treated groups.  The results of the present study indicates that the plant extract showed a significant decrease in the serum levels of ALP, AST, ALT and Total bilirubin. These biochemical observations were supported by a histopathological study of liver sections. This study confirmed the hepatoprotective property of this plant as this was used in traditional medicine.