April Journal-2009.p65 - Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy
April Journal-2009.p65 - Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy
April Journal-2009.p65 - Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy
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Current Trends in <strong>Biotechnology</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Pharmacy</strong><br />
Vol. 3 (2) 219-224, <strong>April</strong> 2009. ISSN 0973-8916<br />
Hepatoprotective effect <strong>of</strong> leaves <strong>of</strong> Balanites roxburghii against<br />
carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats<br />
K. Thirupathi, D.R. Krishna, B. Ravi Kumar, A.V.N. Apparao <strong>and</strong> G. Krishna Mohan *<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Pharmacognosy <strong>and</strong> Centre for Ethnopharmacology, University College <strong>of</strong><br />
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Warangal 506009, India<br />
* For Correspondence - drgkrishnamohan@yahoo.co.in<br />
Abstract<br />
The methanolic extract <strong>of</strong> leaves <strong>of</strong><br />
Balanites roxburghii (BLR) was evaluated for<br />
its hepatoprotective activity against carbon<br />
tetrachloride (CCl 4<br />
)-induced hepatic damage in<br />
rats. It was evaluated by measuring levels <strong>of</strong><br />
serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate<br />
oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum<br />
glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline<br />
phosphatase (ALP) <strong>and</strong> total bilirubin (TBR). The<br />
histological studies were also carried out to<br />
support the above parameters. Administration <strong>of</strong><br />
BLR (200 <strong>and</strong> 400 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly<br />
prevented CCl 4<br />
-induced elevation <strong>of</strong> levels <strong>of</strong><br />
serum GPT, GOT, ALP <strong>and</strong> TBR. A comparative<br />
histopathological study <strong>of</strong> liver exhibited near to<br />
normal architecture, as compared to CCl 4<br />
-treated<br />
group.<br />
Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride; Balanites;<br />
Marker enzymes; Hepatoprotective activity.<br />
1. Introduction<br />
Balanites roxburghii is a medicinal herb,<br />
found in Bengal, drier parts <strong>of</strong> India <strong>and</strong> Myanmar.<br />
In Ayurvedic, the fruit has a bitter sharp taste,<br />
digestible, alterative, anthelmintic, analgesic <strong>and</strong><br />
in Unani system <strong>of</strong> medicine for treatment <strong>of</strong> skin<br />
diseases (1), in Sudanese folk medicine for<br />
treatment <strong>of</strong> jaundice (2), In Egyptian folk<br />
medicine, the fruits <strong>of</strong> Balanites (after removal<br />
<strong>of</strong> the apocarps) are commonly used as an oral<br />
antidiabetic drug, in tropical Africa as fish poison<br />
(3).<br />
It was reported to possess immune<br />
modulating properties (4), hypocholesterolemic<br />
action (5), anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive <strong>and</strong><br />
antioxidant activities (6). An aqueous extract <strong>of</strong><br />
the mesocarp <strong>of</strong> the fruits <strong>of</strong> Balanites was<br />
reported to exhibit a prominent antidiabetic activity<br />
in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice (7).<br />
Phytochemical investigations have<br />
revealed the presence <strong>of</strong> saponin glycosides,<br />
flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenols from<br />
different parts <strong>of</strong> this plant (8).Chemically, Six<br />
flavonoid glycosides: quercetin 3-glucoside,<br />
quercetin-3-rutinoside; 3-glucoside, 3-rutinoside,<br />
3-7-diglucoside <strong>and</strong> 3-rhamnogalactoside <strong>of</strong><br />
isorhamnetin were extracted <strong>and</strong> identified from<br />
the leaves <strong>and</strong> branches (9). Saponins (10) have<br />
also been identified from the plant<br />
The local people (Warangal) use the<br />
leaves as a traditional medicine for the treatment<br />
<strong>of</strong> jaundice. For this purpose, the leaves are<br />
crushed, made five small doughs <strong>and</strong> taken orally<br />
once. Hepatoprotective activity <strong>of</strong> the bark as well<br />
as fruit pulp <strong>of</strong> B. roxburghhi has been reported.<br />
(11, 12). Therefore, in view <strong>of</strong> these reasons, we<br />
selected to study the Hepatoprotective activity <strong>of</strong><br />
leaves <strong>of</strong> the plant.<br />
Hepatoprotective effect <strong>of</strong> leaves <strong>of</strong> Balanites roxburghii