Hepatoprotective Activity of Extracts from Stem of Mussaenda erythrophylla LAM. against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induecd Toxicity in Rats

Mussaenda erythrophylla (Rubiaceae) is native to western tropical Africa, occasionally seen in gardens and parks as ornamental plant in India. The Hepatoprotective activity of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of M.erythrophylla (ME) Stem against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats. Ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of ME (100,200mg/kg.p.o.), were administerd respectively, Silymarin (25 mg/kg.p.o.) was given as reference standard. The stem extracts were effective in protecting the liver against the injury induced by CCl₄ in animals. This was evident from significant reduction in serum enzyme, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and Total bilirubin (TB).Various pathological changes like centribular necrosis and vacuolization were observed in CCL₄ treated rats, which were significant protective activity in groups treated with ME and silymarin. It was concluded from the study that ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of ME possess hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in rats.