Inhibition by Picrorrhiza kurroa extract of oxygen free radical reactions and hepatic fibrosis in rats

Oral administration of Picrorrhiza kurroa extract was found to reduce the h epatotoxicity and fibrosis induced by chronic administration of carbon tetr achloride and thioacetamide in rats significantly. This was evident from th e decreased values of serum and liver lipid peroxides, alkaline phosphatase , and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Moreover, elevated liver collagen hy droxyproline, which is a marker of fibrosis, was found to be decreased sign ificantly by the oral administration of the P. kurroa extract. P, kurroa wa s found to be a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxide formation and to scaveng e hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro, and this free radical scavengi ng activity was implicated in the action of the extract. The results are in dicative of the usefulness of the P. kurroa extract in conditions of liver fibrosis produced by various xenobiotic agents.