HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF Alysicarpus vaginalis VAR. nummularifolius (DC.) MIQ. AGAINST ACETAMINOPHEN INTOXICATION IN ALBINO RATS

Alysicarpus vaginalis var. nummularifolius (DC.) Miq. a folklore medicine for jaundice treatment was investigated for its hepatoprotective activity. The methanolic extract of Alysicarpus vaginalis (AVM) showed a significant dose dependent (200 mg/kg bw, 400 mg/kg bw) protective effect against acetaminophen- induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemically by testing the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). The plant extract prevented the toxic effects of acetaminophen (APAP) based upon the above serum parameters. Methanol extract significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione. Histopathological evaluation of the liver confirmed the hepatoprotective role of methanol extracts of A. vaginalis as evident in biochemical evaluations.