Hepatoprotective Activity of Tamarindus indica on Liver Damage Caused by Thioacetamide

The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Tamarindus indica seeds against thioacetamide induced hepatic damage in rats. The plant material were dried in shade then powdered and extracted with methanol. Preliminary phytochemical tests were done. Methanolic extract of Tamarindus indica seeds showed presence of phenolic compound and flavanoids. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin (BRN), and total protein (TP). Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Bilirubin and total protein were tested in both thioacetamide treated and untreaed groups. Thioacetamide has enhanced the SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin and decrease Total Protein level in liver. Treatment of methanolic extract of Tamarindus indica seeds (500mg/kg) has brought back the altered levels of biochemical markers to the near normal levels in the dose dependent manner. Our findings suggested that Tamarindus indica methanol seeds extract possessed hepatoprotective activity. Silymarin was used as reference standard.