EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF BEET ROOT (BETA VULGARIS L.) AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RAT MODELS

A study on the effect of methanol extract of red beetroot (MEBV) against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats of Wistar strain (150 to 180g) was done. Five groups with six rats each were used as positive control, negative control and experimental with an oral dose of CCl₄ throughintra-peritoneal (IP) route and MEBV at 100µgm/ml, 200µgm/ml & 300µgm/ml per os, respectively, for 14 days.  After 14 days, animals were sacrificed; blood samples were obtained and analyzed. The results showed that CCl₄ administration was associated with triple fold increases in the activities of alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Bilirubin (P<0.05) compared with the respective mean control values. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as, serum catalase, GSH, Vit. E, Vit.C, & SOD, were   lower than the respective mean values of the normal control. The blood parameters have got reduced. The hapatochords and hepatocytes architecture was also observed to be disturbed.  However, treatment with MEBV restored the enzyme activities of the liver ALT, AST, Bilirubin, WBC, RBC, PCV and hepatic lobule architecture, to a very near normal level.  This work showed that methanol extract of Beta vulgaris was successful at 300µgm/ml, in counteracting CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity and amelioration of the same (hepatic remediation) to near normalcy level in rat liver functions and amelioration may be due to the total phenolics, flavonoids and other antioxidants composition in the plant extract.