| Abstract: | The methanol fraction of the extract of Pluchea indica roots exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride in rats and mice. The extract caused significant reduction of the elevated serum enzyme levels (AST, ALT, LDH and serum alkaline phosphatase) and serum bilirubin content in acute liver injury. A significant increase of reduced serum total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was also observed on extract treatment. The extract significantly reduced the prolonged pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and also caused a significant reduction of plasma prothrombin time in comparison with CCl4-treated animals. The extract caused significant reduction of the increased bromosulphalein retention by CCl4-treatment. These findings are suggestive of a potent hepatoprotective effect of the extract under investigation. |
