Effect of Carbon Tetrachloride‑induced Hepatic Injury on Luffa acutangula (var.) Amara

Abstract

Objectives: To study the reversal effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‑induced hepatic injury on the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of Luffa acutangula var. amara in Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: The study included experimental mice groups in which pentobarbital‑induced sleeping time and its prolongation by CCl4 is assessed by righting reflex and recovery time. Chronic liver injury was induced by oral administration of CCl4 and acute injury by a single intraperitoneal injection in experimental Wistar rats. Blood and liver specimens were used for analysis of enzymatic reactions.Results: It was noted that the mice groups treated with extracts decrease the sleeping time in and standard silymarin than the control group. Acute and chronic liver injury models showed increases in total protein and glutathione peroxidase, whereas there was a reduction in total bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphate level in extracts and standard silymarin‑treated rats than control. Histopathological studies showed a significant reduction in inflammation, fatty change and gross necrosis in extracts and standard silymarin‑treated animals than control.Conclusion: The study suggests that extracts of L. acutangulavar. amara can be useful in treating acute and chronic hepatic injury.

Keywords: Aspartate aminotransferase; Carbon tetrachloride; Hepatoprotective; Luffa acutangula; Silymarin; Wistar rats