HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF FICUS DALHOUSIAE MIQ LEAVES ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON CARBON TETRACHLORIDE AND PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Leaves and bark preparations of Ficus dalhousiae Miq (Moraceae) are used in folklore and Siddha system of medicine for liver and skin ailments. So the intent of the present study was to evaluate the Hepatoprotective effect of Ficus dalhousiae Miq leaves ethanolic extract (FDLEE) by means of Carbon tetrachloride and Paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in Albino rats. Administration of carbon tetrachloride suspended in liquid paraffin 1ml/kg body weight i.p, and Paracetamol in distilled water (2 gm/kg) body weight; p.o. to albino Wistar rats resulted in hepatotoxicity. Biochemical parameters [Alkaline Transaminase (ALT/SGPT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST/SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin (TB), Direct Bilirubin (DB), Albumin (ALB), Total Protein (TP)] and liver weight were measured to determine the degree of protection at the end of duration of treatment in both the models. CCl₄ and Paracetamol markedly elevated the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, TB and DB. Treatment with the standard drug Silymarin (25mg/kg) reversed all the parameters and restored them to the optimum levels. The test extract FDLEE produced a significant and dose dependent decrease in the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, TB, and DB. The parameters Total Protein, at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg showed less activity (P<0.05) where as at 400 mg/kg shows more activity (P<0.01). The histopathological results also conveyed the occurrence of toxicity to the control group and its reversal in FDEE and standard drug treated groups. In conclusion it can be stated that Ficus dalhousiae Miq extract show a significant reversal of hepatotoxic parameters. The probable mechanism could be the stimulation of hepatic regeneration through an improved synthesis of proteins.