HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF NELSONIA CANESCENS (LAM..) SPRENG ON CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Methanol extract (MLE) of the plant Nelsonia canescens (Lam..) Spreng at different doses (150, 300 and 500 mg/kg, b.w) were tested for its efficacy against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatic damage in Wistar rats. The different groups of rats were administered with CCl4 (1ml/kg, s.c.). The rats were monitored for morphological changes, biochemical changes of serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase(GOT), serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT), serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), serum Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), serum Cholesterol, serum Bilirubin (Total and Direct) and histopathological changes. From the experimental results it was proved that the plant showed a very good hepatoprotection in a dose dependent manner and the dose 500 mg/kg has significant effect in reducing the damage caused by CCl4 which was comparable to the protective effect of standard drug Silymarin (100 mg/kg, b.w). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of active phytoconstituents i.e. flavonoids and phenolics, which may offer hepatoprotection. The present work support the traditional claim of plant in the treatment of liver injury, may provide a new drug against a war with liver diseases.