Hepatoprotective Activity of Capparis sepiaria Stem against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicty in Rats

The hepatoprotective effect of the alcohol extract of Capparis sepiaria Linn. (Capparaceae) stem against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced toxicity was studied in albino rats. The rats were given daily pretreatment with alcohol extract of C. sepiaria (100 mg/kg) and the standard silymarin (25 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. The toxicant used on 7 ^th day was CCl ₄ at a dose of 1.25 ml/kg as 1:1 mixture with olive oil. The extract produced significant (p<0.01) reduction in the elevated levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB) and rise of decreased total protein level when compared with the toxic control.