PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF LEUCAS ASPERA METHANOLIC EXTRACT ON N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE INDUCED SUB-ACUTE LIVER TOXICITY IN MALE WISTAR RATS

N- nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), a chemical carcinogen widely used to initiate hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Food stuffs such as milk and meat products, salted fish, alcoholic beverages and a few varieties of vegetables are the principal sources of nitroso compounds. NDEA has been suggested to cause oxidative stress and cellular injury due to the enhanced formation of free radicals. The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive effect of the methanolic extract of Leucas aspera (MELA) against NDEA induced subacute liver injury in male Wistar rats. NDEA was administered for 4 weeks. MELA at 100 and 200mg doses and standard drug; silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight were administered one week before the onset of NDEA intoxication and continued for 4 weeks. Significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and total protein were observed in the drug treated groups. Rats intoxicated with NDEA showed elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT) and tissue lipid peroxides (TBARS & CD).The study reveals that MELA at a dose of 200mg/kg effectively reversed the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats. Histological changes supported the findings.