Protective Potential of Canthium dicoccum Methanolic Extract Against Hepatic Injury in Rats

The methanolic extract of leaves of C.dicoccum was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity since it is reported to cause oxidative stress in the animal thereby altering the enzymatic levels. Fresh leaves were collected, shade dried and extract was prepared by cold maceration followed by drying in a rota-vapour using methanol to obtain MECD as a sticky semi-solid mass. Thirty rats were taken and divided into 5 equal groups where, Group I, II, and III served as Normal Control, Negative control (PCM 3g/kg), and Positive control (Silymarin 200mg/kg) respectively; whereas, Group IV and V served as test groups where the rats were pre-treated orally with MECD 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively for six days before administering PCM. On the 8^th day all groups except Group I was administered with PCM (3g/kg). 48 hours post PCM induction, the animals were anesthetized, blood samples were obtained via retro-orbital sinus plexus and then the rats were sacrificed. The serum was assessed for the evaluation parameters like AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin levels. Apart from these; SOD, CAT, and MDA levels were also evaluated and it was concluded that treatment with MECD restored the levels to normal thereby exhibiting hepatoprotective activity. Moreover, histopathological evaluation was carried out to assess the liver for inflammation, infiltration, or necrosis where the MECD treated rats showed promising results.