Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International

To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of whole fruit extracts of Luffa acutangula.var. amara and rhizome extracts of Rheum emodi in CCl₄ treated rats. The dried powders of L. amara and R. emodi were extracted successively with petroleum ether, ethanol and distilled water. The hepatoprotective capacity of the extract of the whole fruits of L. amara and the rhizomes of R. emodi was analyzed in liver injured CCl₄- treated male rats. The present study explored the possibilities of using low doses of both plant extracts (150mg/kg, and 300mg/kg bw, po route) to treat CCL₄ intoxicated albino rats in both acute and chronic models of hepatic damage, evident by increased serum levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, cholesterol and triglycerides, all being implicated in considerable hepatic damage.

Histopathological examination in CCl₄ treated rats revealed collapse of liver parenchyma with early fibrosis and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration in patchy areas around central vein (Pic.group-2) when compared to the control group. Histopathological and physical examinations also indicated their effectiveness with their dose tolerability and liver protection.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the whole fruits of L. amara and rhizomes of R. emodi were indicative of more hepatoprotective properties when compared to the petroleum ether extracts of both plants against CCl₄ induced liver damage as confirmed from hepatic serum marker enzyme activities and histopathological studies.