HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC STEM-BARK EXTRACTS OF PONGAMIA PINNATA AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Introduction: Pongamia pinnata is commonly known as karanja. In Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicine, it has been used as anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, anti-nociceptive, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-lipid oxidative, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-hyperammonemic, antioxidant, etc. Moreover, it has been used traditionally in the treatment of liver disorders. However, there are no scientific bases or reports in the modern literature regarding its usefulness as a hepatoprotective agent. Aim: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the Pongamia pinnata bark extracts. Methods: The extracts were subjected to preliminary phyto-chemical investigation. The in-vivo hepatoprotective activity of both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts was assessed using paracetamol-induced liver damage in albino rats. The efficacy of protection was measured by evaluation of biochemical parameters, such as SGOT (serum glutamate oxalate transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and total bilirubin levels, as well as in–vivo estimation of GSH (glutathione) from liver tissue. Results: Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids, which were further estimated quantitatively. A significant hepatoprotective effect of both the extracts was observed against hepatic damage induced by paracetamol. The results also demonstrated that the activity of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and total bilirubin was reduced in extract treated rats as compared to intoxicated rats. Conclusions: The hepatoprotective property of the bark extracts might be due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids.