Journal of Natural Remedies

T. Devaki , K. S. Shivashangari , V. Ravikumar , P. Govindaraju

Abstract

Objective: The present study deals with the effect of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BD) on tissue defense system against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Methods: Ethanol (20% alcohol - 2.5 ml/100 g body weight for 90 days) was used for the induction of hepatotoxicity. BD extract (150 mg/ kg body weight/day for 30 days) was administered orally to rats intoxicated with ethanol. Results: Induction with ethanol resulted in an increase in the levels of lipid peroxides with a concomitant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione levels. Post treatment with BD ischolar_main extract reversed the deleterious effects of ethanol and the enzyme activities were found to be near normal. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the protective nature of BD ischolar_main extract against ethanol-induced liver damage, proving it to be a potent antioxidant.

Keywords

Boerhaavia Diffusa, Ethanol, Oxidative Stress, Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidants.

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T. Devaki , K. S. Shivashangari , V. Ravikumar , P. Govindaraju

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa ischolar_main against ethanol-induced hepatic damage. Methods: Ethanol (20% alcohol - 2.5 ml/100 g body wt. for 90 days) was used for the induction of hepatotoxicity. Boerhaavia diffusa ischolar_main extract (150 mg/kg body wt. for 30 days) was administered orally to rats intoxicated with ethanol. Results : Ethanol feeding resulted in liver injury as indicated by the significant increase in the serum activities of marker enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase. Further, there was a significant increase in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids followed by a decrease in the levels of phospholipids in serum, liver and kidney. Post treatment of Boerhaavia diffusa extract reversed these alterations to near normal. Conclusion : The results of this study confirm the hepatoprotective action of Boerhaavia diffusa.

Keywords

Boerhaavia Diffusa, Ethanol, Hepatoprotection, Marker Enzymes, Lipids

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