RESUMO
Certain medicinal plants have been reported to have their effect on various experimentally induced diseases. Drug induced hepatitis [DIH] is one of them. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula leaves in experimentally induced drug hepatitis [DIH] in rodents. The rats were divided into four groups, i.e. a control group [A], antituberculous [ATT] group [B], and the remaining two groups [C and D] served as experimental therapy groups. They received Cassia fistula extract as hepatoprotective agent. Rats having normal liver functions were included in this study. Group C experimental rats received [INH/RIF] [50 mg/kg] each and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula at 400 mg/kg of body weight. On the other hand group D experimental rats received [INH/RIF] [50 mg/kg] each and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula at 500 mg/kg of body weight. Blood samples were taken at 30[th] day and liver in each was taken out for microscopical examination on day 30[th]. The [ATT] group rats showed variable increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin levels. Group C treated with 400 mg/kg of body weight Cassia fistula treatment decreased the level of these parameters in rats. On the other hand group D rats treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of Cassia fistula dose significantly decreased levels of these biochemical parameters. The morphological examination of experimental group C rats showed slight recovery whereas the rats in experimental group D showed a significant recovery. Cassia fistula constituents, especially flavonoids and anthraquinones have strong anti-oxidant activity which provides hepato-protection against drug-induced hepatitis [DIH]. In conclusion, high dose of Cassia fistula ethanolic leaves extract [500 mg/kg] body weight showed hepatoprotection against INH/RIF induced hepatitis in rats