Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF GRACILARIA CORTICATA J.AG. IN HARE ISLAND, THOOTHUKUDI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

*John Peter Paul J. and Raja P.

Abstract

In the present study, screening of hepatoprotective activity of Gracilaria corticata J.Ag. collected from Hare Island, Thoothukudi in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India was analyzed. The methanolic extract of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of Gracilaria corticata J.Ag. showed significant hepatoprotective activity in both doses as evidenced by the data obtained. Among the two concentrations of methanolic extract studied, 200mg/kg methanolic extract was found to show more active as compared to 400mg/kg methanolic extract. The results showed for the first time that Gracilaria corticata J.Ag. showed hepatoprotective activity, a property that could lead to the application in useful health care.

Keywords: Seaweed, Hepatoprotective, Gracilaria corticata, Methanolic extract, Hare Island.