Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Momordica Charantia Leaves in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats
Gurudatta Moharir1, Ambadasu Bharatha2*, Nkemcho Ojeh3 and Vijay Prasad S4

1Lecturer in Pharmacology, BLDE University’s Shri BM Patil Medical College, Vijaypur, Karnataka, India.

2Lecturer in Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, WI.

3Senior Lecturer in Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, WI.

4Department of Pharmacology, Govt Medical College, SHIVPURI, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Corresponding Author’s E-mail: ambu2mail@gmail.com

Abstract: Liver carries out a variety of physiological functions and protects against damaging drugs and chemicals. Herbs have been shown to play a major role in the management of various liver disorders. Due to the lack of effective liver protective medication in modern medicine, several herbal options for the treatment of liver diseases in Ayurveda are suggested. In this current study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective action of Momordica charantia leaf extract in comparison to Liv-52, a standard hepatoprotective drug. In Wistar rats, hepatotoxicity was induced by administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 1ml / kg body weight subcutaneously on alternate days for a week in a suspension of liquid paraffin. Rats were grouped into 5 groups with group I as control, group II - CCl4 treatment only, group III receiving a mixture of Liv-52 orally (5 ml / kg) and CCl4, and group IV and group V receiving Momordica charantia leaf extract administered orally to rats at doses of 100 and 200 mg / kg respectively, together with CCl4 for 1 week.. Indices of liver functions (lipid profile) were evaluated in the serum of the rats.  Animals were sacrificed after the study period and liver tissue was isolated for histopathological changes. The mean results for groups I to V for SGOT levels in IU/L were: 53.57 ± 1.19, 167.72 ± 5.57, 54.72 ± 0.83,  69.41 ± 2.35 and 60.72 ± 1.5 respectively; for SGPT in IU/L were  37.00 ± 1.77, 118.16 ± 2.91, 61.41 ± 1.25, 47.92 ± 1.71 and 58.59 ± 1.81 respectively; for ALP in IU/L were 165.44 ± 4.84, 281.33 ± 7.11, 206 ± 6.95, 190.62±5.47 and 188.86 ± 2.5 respectively and for total bilirubin levels in mg/dl were 0.71± 0.66, 1.57 ± 0.1, 0.80 ± 0.20.88 ± 0.02 & 0.77 ± 0.03 respectively. The findings from this study showed a decrease in the liver enzymes and therefore suggests protective activity of Momordica charantia leaf extract against CCl4 induced hepatic toxicity.

Keywords: CCl4; Hepatotoxicity; Momordica charantia; Lipid profile

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