Hepatoprotective activity of Cordia dichotoma forst.f. fruits on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats

The present study appraised the hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Cordia dichotoma fruits against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats. Liver damage was achieved by oral administration of an equal mixture of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil (50% v/v, 0.7 ml/kg b.w.) in male Wistar rats (200–250 g) once daily for 14 days and extent of damage was studied by assessing the biochemical parameters such as alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino tranferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and albumin in serum. Liver samples were collected from animals and investigated for histopathological study using haematoxylin–eosin staining agent. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Cordia dichotoma fruits (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administered and its effects on biochemical parameters were compared with Silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w.) treated animals. Cordia dichotoma (300 mg/kg b.w.) has shown significant reduction in serum hepatic enzymes when compared to rats treated with carbon tetrachloride alone. There was a significant increase in the serum total protein and albumin when compared to rats treated with carbon tetrachloride alone. The histopathological study supported the above biochemical parameters. The results conclude that the alcoholic and aqueous extract of Cordia dichotoma fruits (300 mg/kg b.w.) protected the liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced damage.