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Bilirubin is the degradation product of heme, the bulk of which is derived from hemoglobin of senescent erythrocytes and hepatic hemoproteins. Bilirubin is pot entially toxic, but is normally rendere d harmless by binding to plasma albumin, and efficient hepatic clearance. Jaundice , ( also known as icterus ) is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by hype rbilirubinemia (increased levels of bilirubin in the blood). Complications of jaundice include sepsis especially cholangitis, biliary cirrhosis, pancreatitis, coagulopathy, renal and liver failure. Treatment of rats with Phenylhydrazine 5 mg/ kg body weigh t for five days resulted in the development of jaundice as BR level was found to be higher than 2 mg/ dL . Bilirubin lowering potential of Benzoin ethyl alcohol extract was evaluated in te mporarily jaundiced adult wistar rats. Treatment of these rats with Be nzoin extract for seven days reduced the BR level significantly to the normal value. Whereas smaller dose (10mg/kg body weight) resulted in the reduction in BR level from 2.51 ± 0.02 to 0.90 ± 0.01 mg/dL , higher doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight were fo und to be more effective in reducing the bilirubin level from 2.54 ± 0.01 to 0.82 ± 0.01 mg/dL and from 2.49 ± 0.02 to 0.66 ± 0.01 mg/dL, respectively. Therefore, Benzoin ethyl alcohol extract can be used to reduce bilirubin concentration to a normal level in jaundiced subjects.

Keywords

Benzoin Ethyl Alcohol Extract, Hyperbilirubinemia, Jaundice, Bilirubin.

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