PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SCOPARIA DULCIS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN RATS

The objective of the present study is to carry out the photochemical investigation and hepatoprotective activity study of different extracts of Scoparia dulcis. Scoparia dulcis Linn. belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae and have ruminate medicinal properties. The different extracts of this plant were prepared by successive extraction with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol. These extracts (PEESD, CESD and EESD) were then taken for preliminary phytochemical screening using standard methods. The hepatoprotective activity of the different extracts of Scoparia dulcis was evaluated by using carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in experimental rats. In hepatotoxicity induced animals, an oral dose of 300 mg/kg, of the petroleum ether, ethanol and chloroform extracts of Scoparia dulcis exhibited a compelling decrease in marker enzyme levels and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes. In the above dose the plant extracts produced a significant decrease in the Lipid peroxidase levels in the tested animals against Carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity. The chloroform extract was found rich in phytochemical constituents and had the highest hepatoprotective activity. From the results of our present study we concluded that, PEESD, CESD and EESD of Scoparia dulcis Linn. showed significant antioxidant defence mechanism and hepatoprotective activity. Result shows PEESD, CESD and EESD have significant antioxidant activity on comparison with standard silymarin. The hepatoprotective potential may be attributed to the presence of polyphenolic compound for their antioxidant properties.