Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Aerial Parts of Premna tomentosa against Paracetamol-Induced Liver Toxicity on Wistar Rats

Abstract

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Premna tomentosa were evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity and comparison to the standard hepatoprotectant, silymarin. Thirty male wistar albino rats were randomised into five groups with six rats in each group. Group A&B sereved as normal control and toxic control respectively, and were administered normal saline. Group C& D were treated with ethanolic extract of Premna tomentosa at doses 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively. Group E was treated with the standard drug Silymarin 25mg/kg. Toxicity was induced in all the groups except the first by giving Paracetamol at 2g/kg on the 5th day. All the rats were treated for 7 days and after the last dosing the rats were fasted for 24hrs and sacrificed. Serum was sent for biochemical analysis for assaying liver profile. Histopathology and antioxidant studies were done on liver. In our study ethanolic extract Premna tomentosa showed beneficial effect on paracetamol induced liver toxicity which was evident by the significant improvement in liver profile consisting of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides and total bilirubin in a dose dependent manner, which is consistent with the histopathological findings. Increase in GSH and Catalase and decrease in TBARS validates the antioxidant property of the extract. The study has proved that Premna tomentosa posses a significant hepatoprotective activity which was comparable to the standard drug silymarin. It warrants further study in humans before including it in the prevention of hepatotoxicity.