ABSTRACT
Background: Aerva Javanica, a traditional medicinal plant may have hepatoprotective effects
Objective: This study was carried out to assess the in-vivo hepatoprotective activity of 70% aqueous methanolic crude extract of Aerva javanica, belonging to the plant family 'Amaranthaceae'
Methodology: Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of six animals. Control and intoxicated groups received normal saline at the dose of 2 ml/kg, standard group received Silymarin [25 mg/kg] and the test groups received three different doses [100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg] of Aj.Cr oral individually for three days. After half an hour of third day treatment, each animal of all the groups, except control, was treated with single per oral dose of 500 mg/kg of Paracetamol [PCM]. After 24 hours of intoxication, animals were anesthetized and sera were prepared from blood obtained by cardiac puncture method to assess biochemical parameters; SGOT, SGPT, SALP and total bilirubin [TB], using diagnostic kits. Livers were weighed and samples preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological studies. Acute toxicity studies were also performed in mice. The extract [Aj.Cr] was also analyzed phytochemically for the presence of various secondary metabolites
Results: Oral administration of the crude extract of Aerva javanica [Aj.Cr] showed dose-dependent [100-1000 mg/kg] significant reduction [p<0.05] in the Paracetamol-induced elevated levels of enzymes; Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetic Transaminase [SGOT], Serum Glutamate Pyruvic Transaminase [SGPT], Serum Alkaline Phosphatase [SALP] and Total Bilirubin [TB] in intoxicated animals. The extract, Aj.Cr, was found to be safe up to the dose of 10 g/kg in mice. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of several metabolites like glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and tannins in the crude extract of the plant
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that Aerva Javanica possesses hepatoprotective potential and caused the reversal of abnormal liver functions which justify the traditional use of the plant in liver complaints. However, further investigations are needed to explore the exact mechanism[s] responsible for protective effects of the plant