Evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanolic ex-tract of Nerium indicum Mill. leaves against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Abstract

To investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Nerium indicum leaves (EENIL) against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in Albino rats. Two groups of 6 rats each were administered with EENIL at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p.o) for 7 days respectively and at day 7, hepatotoxicity was induced in the rats of all groups with 1.25 ml/kg (i.p) dose of CCl₄. The effects of EENIL on antioxidant activity, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and direct bilirubin were determined and histopathological examination of the liver sections was also carried out. The extract prevented the depletion of GSH and CAT levels and also prevented the increment of LPO levels against CCl₄ induced liver injury in rats. It also significantly reduced the levels of biochemical liver enzymes with maximum hepatoprotection at 200 mg/kg dose level which was supported by the histopathological observations. The results of the present study strongly reveal that EENIL has hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against CCl₄ induced hepatic damage in experimental animals.