Authors : I. Ulaganathan, D. Divya, K. Radha, T.M. Vijayakumar and M.D. Dhanaraju
Abstract: Hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activity of Ethanol Extract of Luffa acutangula (var) amara (EELA) and were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extract were administered orally at dose dependent manner of 200, 400, 600 mg kg-1, b.wt, p.o. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Serum alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total cholesterol and total protein were restored towards normalization significantly by the extract. Silymarin was used as standard reference and exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced haptotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that Luffa acutangula (var) amara leaves extract have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats. Ethanolic extract was found more potent hepatoprotective. Mean while in vivo antioxidant activities were also screened which were positive for EELA extract. This study suggests that possible mechanism of this activity may be due to free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities which may be due to the presence of flavanoids in the extract.
I. Ulaganathan, D. Divya, K. Radha, T.M. Vijayakumar and M.D. Dhanaraju, 2010. Protective Effect of Luffa acutangula (var) amara against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Experimental Rats. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 615-624.