HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF BERBERIS CORIACEAE OLIVER DAMAGE IDUCED BY CCL 4 IRATS

Summary Hepatoprotective efficacy of leaves extract of Berberis coriaceae was evaluated against biochemical and histopathological changes, induced by carbon tetrachloride in male wistar albino rats. Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug was used as positive control. Liver damage was studied by assessing parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and bilirubin in serum. The effect of administration of ethanol extract at dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg on the above parameter was further investigated. Results of this study revealed that the extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity (P<0.05) by reducing the levels of the biochemical parameters in experimental animals. Histopathological study of the liver in experimental animals was also performed. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. Furthermore, the acute toxicity of the extracts showed no signs of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. The results suggest that the ethanol extract of B. coriaceae exhibits significant hepatoprotective properties.