HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS AGAINST ARSENIC-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

The present study was to evaluate Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Hyptis suaveolens whole plant (AEHS) against Sodium arsenite (2.5 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats for a period of 28 days. Rats were divided into five groups, each with 6 rats. Except for group I, all remaining groups was served with Sodium arsenite oral administration to induce hepatotoxicity prior to standard and plant extract administration. Group II served as sodium arsenite treated group (toxin), group III served with Vitamin-E, standard (Hepatoprotective drug) Group IV and Group V Experimental rats received AEHS orally at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Hepatoprotective effects were investigated by assessment of serum biochemical enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) total bilirubin (TB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), along with histopathological studies. There is a significant decrease in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and TB and an increase in the Catalase, GSH, GR and GPx levels after oral administration of AEHS and Vitamin E. The extract significantly diminished MDA levels. The results of this study are indicative of the antioxidant activity of AEHS, its potential hepatoprotective effects and its probable therapeutic properties for laboratory animals damaged by Sodium arsenite.