HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF OPERCULINA TURPETHUM LINN. AGAINST D-GALACTOSAMINE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

The genus Operculina has potential activity as a hepatoprotective agent. The present pharmacological investigation focuses on evaluation of the efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of Operculina turpethum Linn. for their protection against D-Galactosamine (D-GaIN) induced hepatotoxicity. The hydroalcoholic extract of roots of O.turpethum Linn. was prepared and phytochemical screening was done. The biochemical investigation viz. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Triglycerides (TGL), Total Cholesterol, Albumin, Total Protein and total Bilirubin (TB) was done against D-GaIN induced hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rats. The histopathological studies of liver were also done. The phytochemical screening of the hydroalcoholic extract showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavanoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds. Pretreatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of roots significantly prevented the physical, biochemical, histological, and functional changes induced by D-GaIN in the liver. The extract showed significant hepatoprotective effect as evidenced by decreased biochemical parameters like AST, ALT, ALP, TGL Total Cholesterol and TB and elevated levels of Total protein and Albumin which was supported by histopathological studies of liver. The antioxidant parameters and phenobarbitone sleeping time also supported hepatoprotectivity. The hydroalcoholic extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity comparable with standard drug silymarin as well as hepatotoxin D-GaIN. From these results, it is concluded that the O.turpethum has potential effectiveness in treating liver damage induced by D-GalN.