Volume 3

April-June 2011

Hepatoprotective activity of “Asparagus racemosus root” on liver damage caused by paracetamol in rats

Fasalu Rahiman O M, Rupesh Kumar M, Tamizh Mani T, Mohamed Niyas K, Satya Kumar B, Phaneendra P, Surendra B

Abstract:
Aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus root (AEAR) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activities in rats. The plant extract (150 and 250 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the wet liver weight, serum marker enzymes, antioxidant levels and histopathological studies on liver tissues. Paracetamol-induced a significant rise in wet liver weight, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin with a reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Treatment of rats with different doses of plant extracts (150 and 250 mg/kg) significantly altered serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels to near normal against paracetamol-treated rats. The activity of the extracts was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control. Results indicate the hepatoprotective properties of AEAR against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Keywords: Asparagus Racemosus Root, Hepatoprotection, Paracetamol, Serum Marker Enzymes, Biochemical Parameters, Histopathology.