HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF CHENOPODIUM ALBUM LINN. AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Chenopodium album Linn. is a plant that has a long history of uses in liver disorders. This study was done to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Chenopodium album leaves on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The hepatoprotective effect was evaluated on the basis of liver function parameters viz. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Direct Bilirubin (DBIL), Total Bilirubin (TBIL) and Albumin (ALB) in serum of different groups of rats followed by histopathological study. In the present study, biochemical analysis suggested that acute administration of paracetamol-induced significant hepatotoxicity in experimental rats, which was evidenced by a significant increase in SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin, and serum alkaline phosphatase, while there was a decrease in serum albumin level. Treatment with C. album leaf extract has shown a marked reduction in SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin, and serum alkaline phosphatase, while there was an increase in the serum albumin level. The results of the present study revealed that the methanolic leaf extract of Chenopodium album Linn. is hepatoprotective against paracetamol-induced toxicity. This hepatoprotective activity has also been confirmed by histopathological studies on the liver conducted during the study.