Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Root Bark of Calotropis procera R.Br (Asclepediaceae)

In the present study, Calotropis procera (Asclepediaceae) was evaluated for its possible hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential. Hepatoprotective activity of the methanol extract (MCP) and phyto-constituents directed three sub fractions hexane (HCP), ethylacetate (ECP) and chloroform (CCP) of the root bark was determined using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injury in mice. First the MCP extracts and then three sub fractions namely HCP and ECP and CCP from MCP extract evaluated, at an oral dose of 200 mg kg(-1). The animals were weighed each and divided in groups of six. Liver damage was achieved by injecting CCl4 in olive oil (1:1) 0.8 mL kg(-1). The treatment groups pretreated with above extracts. Silymarin was used as reference standard drug. At the end of 7 days, blood was collected, liver extracted, weighed, processed for histopathological assessments and for antioxidant activity. The MCP and its sub fractions HCP and ECP exhibited a significant hepato-protective effect by lowering the elevated serum levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct serum bilirubin, cholesterol and significantly increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) and moderately increasing total protein and albumin. While, the CCP fraction does not show significant protective effect. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. Further, the effects of the active fractions on antioxidant enzymes also have been investigated to elucidate the possible mechanism of its hepatoprotective activity. The fractions exhibited a significant effect by modifying the levels of reduced glutathione, super oxide dimutase, catalyse activity and malondialdehyde equivalent, an index of lipid peroxidation of the liver. These findings suggest the use of this plant for the treatment of liver toxicity in oriental traditional medicine.