PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Solanum Pubescens LINN ON CCL4 INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Ethanol extract of Solanum pubescens Linn was evaluated for hepato protective and antioxidant activities in rats. The plant extract (500mg/kg/day) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. CCl4 induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, LPO with a reduction of total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH). Treatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) altered serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels to near normal against CCl4 - treated rats. The activity of the extract at dose of 500 mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, Silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotective activity of plant.