Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica in rats

Hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Terminalia belerica Roxb. of the family Combretaceae was studied in Wistar rats using the ethanol-induced liver hepatotoxicty. Ethanol administration resulted in significant elevation of physical parameters (Viz. rat liver weight and liver volume), biochemical parameters like (Viz. serum aspirate transaminase (AST); alanine transminase (ALT); alkaline phasphatase (ALP); direct bilirubin and total bilirubin levels, while albumin and total protein were found to be decreased compared to normal group). Pretreatment with silymarin, ethanolic extract of Terminalia belerica (ALTB) and aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica (AQTB) significantly prevented the physical and biochemical changes induced by these hepatotoxins. Histopathology of liver confirmed our finding as the treatment with the extracts resulted in minor liver cell damage compared to toxic control group. The hepatoprotective effect offered by ALTB (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to be significantly greater than AQTB (400 mg/kg, p.o.) and standard (silymarin 50 mg/kg, p.o.) group.