Evaluation of liver protective activity of Moringa oleifera bark extract in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Abstract

BackgroundMoringa oleifera has been used in folk medicine to alleviate several diseases. In the present study, ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera bark has been investigated to study its potential on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity on model rats.\n\nMethodsRats (150-200 gm) were divided into 5 groups containing 6 animals each. Acute hepatotoxicity was induced by paracetamol (600 mg/kg body weight) administered once daily for one week whereas the extract of investigated plant was given orally throughout the whole experiment at 250 and 500mg/kg body weight. Silymarin (100mg/kg body weight) was given orally as standard hepatoprotective drug. The level of hepatic injury recovery was determined by the estimation of liver enzymes like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, Bilirubin, Total protein and Albumin.\n\nResultsTreatment with MO extract as well as standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin ameliorated the increased plasma levels of these hepatic enzymes and indicated the hepatoprotective potential of the extract.\n\nConclusionThe biochemical parameters provide evidence that the ethanolic extract of of Moringa oleifera bark has shown hepatoprotective activity.