Abstract

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Traditional Herbal Formulation

Author(s): Md. Shafiuddin, Abdullah Khan and Sadath Ali

An indigenous herbal formulation containing Cichorium intybus (Wild chicory seed), Sphaeranthus indicus (East Indian globe thistle), Rosa gallica (Red rose petals), Swertia chirata (Chirata), Coriandrum sativum (Coriander), Smilax chinensis (China root), Rheum emodi (Indian rhubarb) and water was investigated for hepatoprotective activity on experimentally induced liver injury with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.7 mL/kg body weight, intra peritoneal for 7 days). The hepatoprotective activity of the test formulation was evaluated by the assay of liver functioning biochemical parameters (total bilirubin, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and liver weight). The toxic effect of carbon tetrachloride was controlled significantly by restoration of the levels of total bilirubin, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and liver weight as compared to the normal (control ) and the standard drug (Liv52) treated groups. Histology of the liver sections of the animals treated with the test formulation showed the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and fatty infiltration, which further evidenced the hepatoprotective activity.