Hepatoprotective Effect of Amukkarac curanam in Acetaminophen Intoxicated Rats

Objective: The hepatoprotective action of Amukkarac curanam (AC), a widely used Siddha medicine was evaluated using acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in rats. Material and methods: AC was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. Serum levels of transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), bilirubin, Total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) were used as the biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. Liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and histopathological studies were also done to confirm the biochemical changes. Results and Discussion: The results of the study indicate that pretreatment with AC significantly reversed the increased levels of serum marker enzymes such as AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin, when compared to acetaminophen-induced group. The level of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was also brought to near normal. AC has protected the liver from acetaminophen-induced damage. Probable mechanism of action is by protection against oxidative damage produced by acetaminophen.