Premna tomentosa L. (Verbanacea) has been used in the Indian ayurvedic medi
cinal system to treat liver disorders. We have studied the hepatoprotective
effect of a methanolic extract of its leaves orally in acetaminophen-induc
ed hepatitis in rats with respect to the activities of serum glutamate oxal
oacetate transaminase, pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and alk
aline phosphatase and the levels of tissue lipid peroxides, serum bilirubin
and blood urea. Activities of the enzymes were significantly higher in ani
mals with acetaminophen hepatitis as compared to controls. Pre-treatment wi
th the Premna tomentosa extract significantly maintained the activities of
marker enzymes at near-normal. The extract also maintained the levels of se
rum bilirubin and blood urea at near-normal as compared with those in aceta
minophen-treated rats. These results suggest that Premna tomentosa extract
may afford a significant protective effect in acetaminophen-induced hepatit
is. Med Sci Res 26:785-787 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.