Antihepatotoxic activity of Swertia chirata on paracetamol and galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The extracts of Swertia chirata were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity using paracetamol and galactosamine models, The methanol extract of the wh ole plant was found active at a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. On fractionating thi s extract into chloroform soluble and butanol soluble fractions, the activi ty was retained in the chloroform soluble fraction which was most active at a dose level of 25 mg/kg i.p. with overall protection of 81% and 78% again st paracetamol and galactosamine, respectively. The butanol soluble fractio n, rich in bitter secoiridoids, was devoid of significant activity. The pro tective effect observed against these two hepatotoxins which are different in their mechanisms of inducing hepatotoxicity, suggests broader and non-sp ecific protection of the liver against these two toxins by non-bitter compo nents of Swertia chirata. Copyright (C) 1999 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.