HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PLUCHEA-INDICA (LESS) EXTRACT IN EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE LIVER-DAMAGE IN RODENTS

The methanol fraction of the extract of Pluchea indica roots exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride in rats and mice. The extract c aused significant reduction of the elevated serum enzyme levels (AST, ALT, LDH and serum alkaline phosphatase) and serum bilirubin content i n acute liver injury. A significant increase of reduced serum total pr otein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was also observed on extract treatment. The extract significantly reduced the prolonged pentobarbi tone-induced sleeping time and also caused a significant reduction of plasma prothrombin time in comparison with CCl4-treated animals. The e xtract caused significant reduction of the increased bromosulphalein r etention by CCl4-treatment. These findings are suggestive of a potent hepatoprotective effect of the extract under investigation.