Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Polygala chinensis L. whole plant against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Background and objectives: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is one of the most commonly used hepatotoxins in the experimental study of liver diseases. Liver diseases are still a world wide health problem. Unfortunately, conventional and synthetic drugs used in the treatment of liver diseases are inadequate and sometimes can have serious side effects. There are numerous plants and polyherbal formulations claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. The ethanol extract of whole plant of Polygala chinensis protect the liver from CCl₄ hepatotoxins. Methods: The CCl₄ intoxicated adult male albino rats were treated with the ethanol extract of whole plant of Polygala chinensis in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg orally for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 14 days. Biochemical parameters and antioxidant activities were carried out in the serum of control, CCl₄ intoxicated and drug treated rats. Result: CCl₄ intoxicated rats showed significant elevation in serum enzymes, bilurubin and lipid peroxidation of the liver tissues and reduction in serum total protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity. Treatment with ethanol extract of Polygala chinensis whole plant altered the above parameters to the levels of near normal. All the above results were comparable with the standard drug silymarin (100 mg/kg) treated group. Conclusion: The present study ascertains that the ethanol extract of Polygala chinensis whole plant possesses significant hepatoprotective activity.