PROTECTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF THE INDONESIAN MEDICINAL HERB CURCUMA-XANTHORRHIZA ON BETA-D-GALACTOSAMINE-INDUCED LIVER-DAMAGE

The present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of a dose of C. xanthorrhiza on acute hepatotoxicity induced i n rats by a single dose of beta-D-galactosamine (288 mg/kg, i.p.), and its mechanism of action. C. xanthorrhiza (100 mg/kg) was administered p.o. to experimental animals according to the protocol followed by th e i.p. administration of a single dose of hepatotoxin. Hepatoprotectiv e activity was monitored by estimating serum glutamate oxaloacetate tr ansaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) lev els and histopathological changes in the livers of C. xanthorrhiza-tre ated and untreated groups of animals. The results clearly indicated th at the extract of C. xanthorrhiza significantly reduced the acute elev ation of serum transaminases induced by hepatotoxin, and alleviated th e degree of liver damage at 24 h after the intraperitoneal administrat ion of the hepatotoxins.