R. Arunkumar1, Arudyuti Chowdhury2, Bedabati Chowdhury3
INTRODUCTION
To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of Paederia foetida L. against freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and on animals. Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were exposed to Carbon tetrachloride (1%) along with various concentrations of methanolic extract (MLE) of Paederia foetida L.(100, 200, 400μg/ml) for in vitro studies and the levels of various liver enzymes (GOT, GPT, ALP, Total and Direct Bilirubin) were investigated. For in vivo studies, Wister rats of both sexes were used. The different groups of rats were administered with CCl4 in olive oil (1:1, v/v) at a dose of 2ml/kg body wt. through subcutaneous route. The plant extract was given orally at a dose of (100, 200, 400 mg/kg.b.w.). The rats were monitored for biochemical changes of liver enzymes (GOT, GPT, ALP, Total and Direct Bilirubin) and histopathological changes. From the experimental results it was proved that the tested extract showed potent hepatoprotection in a dose dependent manner and the dose 400 mg/kg showed potency comparable to standard reference drug Silymarin (100mg/kg.b.w.). The methanolic extracts were able to restore the biochemical levels, histopathological status to normal which were altered due to Carbon tetrachloride or CCl4 intoxication both in hepatocytes and in animals.
