Hepatoprotective Activity of Alstonia scholaris</I. Fruits against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of fruits of Alstonia scholaris was evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) - induced hepatoto xicity in rats. The toxicant CCL4 was used to induce hepatotoxicity at a dose of 2 ml/kg as 1:1 mixture with olive oil. The ethanolic extract of fruits of Alstonia scholaris was administered in the dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg/day orally for 5 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) was used as standard drug. The hepatoprotective effect of th e ethanolic extract was evaluated by the assessment of biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, SALKP , total bilirubin and histopathological studies of the liver. Treatment of animals with the ethanolic extract significantly reduced the liver damage and the symptoms of liver injury by restoration of architecture of liver as indicated by lower levels of serum bilirubin as compared with the normal and silymari n treated groups.