Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn.) R.Br. on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Purpose: The entire plant including the flowers, of Ichnocarpus frutescens R.Br. (Apocynaceae) has been used for the treatment of cancer, skin infections, diabetes and liver disorder. The present study is aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective effect of chloroform and methanol extract (CEIF and MEIF) of whole plant of I. frutescens (Linn.) by paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. Methods: The chloroform and methanolic extracts of I. frutescens (CEIF and MEIF) were studied for their hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects on paracetamol (750mg/kg) induced acute liver damage on Wistar albino rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and total protein. Further, the effects of both extracts on lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated. Results: CEIF and MEIF at a dose level of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg produce significant (P<0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin, and lipid peroxidation, while they significantly increased the levels of Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in a dose dependent manner. The effects of CEIF and MEIF were comparable to that of standard drug, Silymarin. Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the chloroform and methanol extract of I. frutescens is not only an effective hepatoprotective agent, but also possesses significant (p<0.05) antioxidant activity.