Abstract

ANTIHEPATOTOXIC EFFICACY OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA ROOTS ON SODIUM ARSENATE INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGES IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Veena Sharma* and Urmila Chaudhary

ABSTRACT

arsenate (SA) is highly toxic inorganic compound. Till date no effective treatment is available to combat SA toxicity. Recognizing the toxic effect of the compound, the present study was designed to elucidate the antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of Achyranthes aspera against sodium arsenate induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Sodium arsenate ingested mice showed a significant (p<0.001/p<0.05) increase in hepatic lipid peroxidase and total cholesterol level. At the same time, decrease in hepatic antioxidant parameters like glutathione content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and total protein content were also observed. The level of hepatic aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were also decreased in SA challenged mice. Pretreatment with the Achyranthes aspera showed protection in hepatic tissue to some extent. Thus, it can be inferred that Achyranthes aspera serves as a potent antioxidant agent and could be exploit to manufacture drug for the treatment of various human aliments.

Keywords: Achyranthes aspera, Antioxidant, Liver, Sodium arsenate.