HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF FICUS MOLLIS ON PARACETAMOL INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic extract of Ficus mollis stem bark against paracetamol induced liver damage in Albino rats. The alcoholic extract of stem bark of Ficus mollis (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals with hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (3 g/kg). Silymarin (25 mg/kg) was given as reference standard. All the test drugs were administered orally by suspending in 0.5 % Carboxy methyl cellulose solution. The plant extract was effective in protecting the liver against the injury induced by paracetamol in rats. This was evident from significant reduction in serum enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. It was concluded from the result that the alcoholic extract of F. mollis stem bark possesses hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.