Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Shorea tumbuggaia rox. against thioacetamide induced toxicity

S. V. Suresh Kumar, T. Hema Su

Abstract

Studies on the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract from the stem bark of Shorea tumbuggaia and were carried out using thioacetamide-induced liver damage in albino rats. Levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and total protein in serum indicated hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract. Histopathological examination of liver sections confirmed that, pretreatment with ethanol extract prevented hepatic damage induced by thioacetamide. The results were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin. The extract showed no signs of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. It is suggested that, the presence of flavonoids in ethanol extract may be responsible for hepatoprotective properties. Results indicate hepatoprotective properties of ethanol extract of Shorea tumbuggaia.