Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of <i>Azima tetracantha</i> Lam.<i> </i>leaves extracts against CCl₄- induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

The chloroform and ethanolic extracts of <i>Azima tetracantha</i> Lam. leaves were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of the extracts at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg once daily for 12 days significantly restored normalization of serum enzyme levels, viz. glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and markers viz.<i style=""> </i>total protein, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and albumin and the results were comparable to the effects of Silymarin. The ethanolic extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg was found to be more potent when compared to chloroform extract at similar dose. The hepatoprotection is also corroborated by histopathology of treated animals. In regard to antioxidant activity, ethanolic extract exhibited a significant effect showing increased levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters, viz.<i style=""> </i>catalase, GSH, total thiols, and decreased level of malondialdhyde (MDA). The results of this study strongly indicate that <i>A. tetracantha</i> leaves have potent hepatoprotective action against CCl₄-induced hepatic damage in rats. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins, etc.