Hepatoprotective Activity of Enicostemma littorale in CCl 4 - Induced Liver Damage

Objective: To study the effect of E. littorale against experimental hepatotoxicity. Methods: The hepatoprotective action of E. littorale was studied in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced acute liver damage in mice. Results: Concomitant treatment with aqueous extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed marked reduction in the ALT and AST levels as compared to CCl₄ treated group. The reduction produced by aqueous extract on ALT and AST was maximum at 500 mg/kg. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin level was significantly raised by CCl₄ treatment. Concomitant treatment with aqueous extract at different doses showed marked reduction in the ALP and bilirubin levels as compared to CCl₄ treated group. The prolonged pentobarbitone sleeping time was significantly reduced in treatment group. The hepatic damage in animal pretreated with aqueous extract was minimal with distinct preservation of structures and architectural frame of the hepatic cells. Conclusions: Our data suggest that treatment with E. littorale extract enhances the recovery from CCl₄ -induced hepatotoxicity and the activity of the extract could be attributed to preservation of structural integrity of cell membrane of hepatocyte and maintaining normal function of the liver.