Hepatoprotective activity of Luffa echinata fruits

The different extracts of the fruits of Luffa Echinata Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae ) were tested for their hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepa totoxicity in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured by using b iochemical parameters like serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), s erum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), to tal protein (TP) and total albumin (TA). The petroleum ether, acetone and m ethanolic extracts showed a significant hepatoprotective activity comparabl e with those of Silymarin. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.