EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF TEPHROSIA PURPUREA LINN. STEM

Abstract

Present study deals with the investigation of hepatoprotective activity of Tephrosia purpurea Linn stem. Powdered stem was extracted with methanol and subjected for the preliminary phytochemical screening. Acute toxicity study of the extract was carried out following OECD guidelines 423 and found safe upto the dose 2000 mg/kg, p.o. Hepatoprotective activity of extract was evaluated against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into five groups containing 6 mice per group. Group 1 animals were administered with vehicle only, Group II animals were administered with CCl₄ (1.4 ml/kg p.o.) to induced hepatotoxicity, group III animals were administered with silymarin (25 mg/kg) for 7 days and CCl₄ (1.4 ml/kg p.o.) on fifth day, group IV and V animals were administered with methanol extract of  T. purpurea stem at 75 and 150 mg/kg, po respectively for 7 days and CCl₄ (1.4 ml/kg p.o.) on fifth day of treatment schedule. Biochemical parameters (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin) were assessed in all the experimental animals. Phytochemical investigation of methanol extract of T. purpurea stem revealed the presence of flavanoids, phytosterols, alkaloids and proteins. Methanol extract of T. purpurea stem was exhibited dose dependant hepatoprotective activity comparable to that of silymarin.