HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CASSIA OBTUSIFOLIA SEED AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN WISTAR RATS

Huda S. A. A. Mohamed*, Warda S. Abdelgadir, Samia M. A. Elbadawi

ABSTRACT

The hepatoprotective activity of the ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds were investigated against paracetamol (PCM) –induced liver damage in rats. Thirty rats were divided into 5 equal groups each of 6 rats. Group 1 (control) animals were fed the normal diet. Group 2 received paracetamol at 1g/kg body weight. Group3 received the standard drug, Silymarin at 70 mg/kg. Group 4 and 5 received the ethanol extract at 250 and 500 respectively. Blood samples were collected at zero time and at the end of the experimental period (7 days) for biochemical parameters and when the rats were sacrificed, and samples of liver were taken for histological study. Liver damage was assessed by liver morphology, histology and estimation of plasma enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phospatase (ALP) and the concentration of the total protein, albumin and bilirubin. Treatment with ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia significantly (P<0.05) reduced paracetamol-induced elevation in plasma liver marker enzymes and the concentrations of total protein, albumin and bilirubin and ameliorated histopathological liver damage and decreased hemorrhage, congestion, fatty change and hepatic necrosis. Hence Cassia obtusifolia extract can be used as hepatoprotective drug, thereby preventing the process of initiation and progress of hepatocellular diseases.

Keywords: Cassia obtusifolia, Ethanol extract, paracetamol, liver damage.