Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM) IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE

Urmi Choudhary MD Pharmacology, Bibin Baby Augustine MS (Pharm.)
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Mangala Lahkar MD Pharmacology,
Anny Mathew Ph.D

Abstract

Alcohol induced liver cirrhosis is a worldwide problem but effective drugs are not available in the market. Many studies reported the patoprotective effect of neem leaves, but no scientific study in alcohol induced liver damage. So the main objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (A. indica extract) leaves in alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in wistar rats. Hepatotoxicity was produced by administering graded oses of ethanol orally for 4 weeks. A. indica extract were given to treated groups at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally for 4 weeks. Similarly Silymarin 100 mg/kg were given to standard group rats. Biochemical parameters (ALP, SGPT, SGOT, TP and S. Bilirubin), liver weight and histopathological parameters were evaluated. A indica extract (both doses) significantly prevented the changes in the above biochemical parameters. Similarly it significantly prevented the elevation of liver weight and histological changes as compared to the ethanol treated group. The above results suggest that Azadirachta indica is useful in treating alcohol induced liver damage.

Keywords: Azadirachta indica, ethanol induced liver injury, ALP, SGPT, SGOT, histopathology.