Hepatoprotective Effect of Sarvakalp Kwath Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatic Injury in Albino Rats

Modern medicine, even in the modern era, lacks effective medications in its armamentarium which could be useful to treat or prevent hepatic ailments. However, Indian Ayurvedic system claims to have many indigenous plants and herbal preparations which provide therapeutic benefit in the treatment of liver diseases. One of such herbal preparations claiming to be of benefit in liver diseases is Sarvakalp Kwath by Divya Pharmacy, Haridwar. This study was undertaken to explore the hepatoprotective effects of Sarvakalp Kwath in animal model using albino rats. The animals were administered aqueous extract of the preparation in the dose of 120 mg/kg for seven days followed by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) challenge. Animals were then sacrificed. Hepatic damage and protection from the damage was assessed by biochemical parameters viz. alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and albumin as well as histological studies. It was observed that aqueous extract of Sarvakalp Kwath offered significant hepatoprotection as reflected by improvement in all biochemical and histological parameters as compared to saline controls. In conclusion, Sarvakalp Kwath offers significant hepatoprotection as is observed in this study. Further studies are warranted to establish its therapeutic efficacy in humans.