HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TEPHROSIA PURPUREA WHOLE PLANT AQUEOUS EXTRACT

Summary In the present study, the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Tephrosia purpurea whole plant aqueous extract were evaluated using Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage model in rats. 75mg/kg and 150mg/kg of the aqueous extract were administered orally once daily for seven days. Animals were challenged with CCl4 on the fifth day of treatment protocol. Elevated serum levels of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin (both direct and total) were restored significantly by the extract. Silymarin (reference standard) exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. The biochemical parameters were supplemented with histopathological studies. The results of the present study strongly indicate that Tephrosia purpurea whole plant aqueous extract has potent hepatoprotective action against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats. In vitro free radical scavenging activity was screened and results concluded that possible mechanism of hepatoprotective activity may be due to its free radical scavenging activity.