HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF AREAL PARTS (EXCEPT FRUITS) OF CICER ARIETINUM AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

M. Sri Ramachandra*, A. Srinivasa Rao, S. Shobha Rani

The Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of pet ether, methanol and aqueous extracts of aerial parts (except fruites) of Cicer arietinum L against ccl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The phytochemical investigations of these extracts showed presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols and flavanoids. LD50 values of all extracts were determined. The extracts did not produce any mortality even at 2000 mg/kg. Hepatotoxicity was induced in wister rats weighing 120-150 gm by oral administration of carbon tetra chloride (CCL4 1ml/kg/day 20days) in 1ml olive oil per day. The plant extracts were administered to the experimental rats (200 and 400 mg/kg/d p.o for 20days). The Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of these extracts was evaluated by liver function biochemical parameters (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione) and histopathological studies of liver. Pre-treatment of the rats with petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract prior to CCL4 administration caused a significant reduction in the values of SGOT, SGPT, SALP, LPO, total bilirubin and significant increase in SOD, CAT, GSH (P<0.01) almost comparable to the silymarin. The hepatoprotective activity was confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver tissue of control and treated animals. Histology of liver sections of the animals treated with the extracts showed the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and fatty infiltration which further evidence the hepatoprotective activity.