Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF STEM BARK EXTRACTS OF ERYTHRINA INDICA ON WISTAR ALBINO RATS

C. Balachandar* and R. Indumathy

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study is to investigate the ethanolic extract (EE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and petroleum ether extract (PEE) of stem bark of Erythrina indica (fabaceae) for hepatoprotective effect in Wistar albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by a single-dose administration of carbon tetrachloride (1 mg/kg, i.p.) 3 days once for 14 days. From the results, ALT, AST, ALP and TB level had increased significantly in animals, which were given CCl4 as compared to the normal group. Treatment with Silymarin showed a significant decrease in the level of ALT, AST, ALP and TB as compared to the disease control. The extracts of Erythrina indica Lam treated groups of animals also showed a significant decrease in the level of ALT, AST, ALP and TB respectively. The reduction was more in the group treated with the Ethanolic extract of Erythrina indica, when compared to other extracts treated groups. In CCl4 treated group, Total Protein (TP) and Albumin (ALB) level had decreased significantly in animals when compared to the normal group. Treatment with Silymarin shows a significant increase in the level of Total Protein and Albumin as compared to the disease control. The extracts of Erythrina indica L., treated groups of animals also showed a significant increase on the level of Total Protein and Albumin respectively. The elevation was more in the group treated with the Ethanolic extract of Erythrina indica, when compared to other extracts treated groups.

Keywords: Erythrina indica, Hepatoprotective activity, Carbon tetrachloride, Silymarin.