Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA FRUITS ON ETHANOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Srilekha E. and Brahma Srinivasa Rao Desu*

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits experimentally in ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into six different groups each having six. Group 1 served as a control, Group 2 received 40% ethanol(2ml/100g), Group 3, 4 and 5 served as extract treatment groups and received 50, 100, & 200 mg/kg, orally, ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits and Group 6 served as standard group and received Silymarin 25 mg/kg orally. After 21 days of all the treatments, rats were sacrificed, blood and liver were taken for biochemical and histological studies, respectively. The ethanol treated group rats (G2) showed variable increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin levels and decrease in total proteins levels. Administration of ethanolic extracts of Terminalia chebula fruits significantly prevented ethanol-induced elevation in the levels of serum diagnostic liver marker enzymes aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin levels in experimental groups of rats. Moreover, total protein levels were significantly increased in treatment groups. The effect of ethanolic extracts of Terminalia chebula was compared with marketed drug, Silymarin. The changes in biochemical parameters were supported by histological profile. It is concluded that the ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits protects against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity liver injury in rats.

Keywords: Terminalia chebula, ethanol, Silymarin, hepatotoxicity.