HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SOLENA AMPLEXICAULIS (TUBER) ON ACUTE CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

The hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of Solena amplexicaulis (SAME) (Lam.)Gandhi (Cucurbitaceae) at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg were evaluated by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) intoxication in rats. The toxic group which received CCl4 (0.3 ml/kg of CCl4 dissolved in 1:1 ratio in olive oil by subcutaneous (s.c) alone exhibited significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TB) levels. It also caused significant (P<0.001) decrease in protein levels. The groups receivedpretreatment of SAME at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.w.p.o. had controlled the AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin levels and the effects were comparable with standard drug (silymarin 100 mg/kg b.w.p.o).The total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) levels were significantly increased in the animals received pretreatment of the extract at the higher dose level. The animals received pretreatment of the extractshown decreased necrotic zones and hepatocellular degeneration when compared to the liver exposed to CCl4 intoxication alone. Thus the histopathalogical studies also supported the protective effect ofthe extract.