HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MIMOSA PUDICA ROOTS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Suneetha B, Pavan Kumar P, Prasad KVSRG, Vidyadhara S and Sambasiva Rao KRS

In the present study, methanolic root extract of Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was used to screen the hepatoprotective activity. Biochemical parameters like serum glutamate Oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) and serum bilirubin were measured. The activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes namely lipid peroxidation, catalase, reduced glutathione and histopathological evaluation of liver sections were also done. Carbon tetrachloride administration in rats elevated the levels of SGPT, SGOT, cholesterol and bilirubin. Administration of the methanolic root extract of the Mimosa pedicure at a dose (400mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) prevented this increase. The activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like catalase and reduced gltathione was decreased and malondialdehyde content was increased in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated group. The enzyme levels of catalase and reduced GSH were significantly (P<0.01) increased and malondialdehyde content significantly ( p < 0.001 ) decreased in the group treated with M. pudica at a dose of 400mg/kg. Histopathological studies revealed that the concurrent administration of carbon tetrachloride with the M. pudica extract exhibited protection of the liver tissue. The study has confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of M. pudica, which may be attributed to its antioxidant property.