Hepatoprotective activity of leaves of urtica parviflora roxb

Effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Urtica parviflora [family Unicaceae] were studied on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in albino rats. The study revealed that both ethanol and aqueous extracts significantly reduced AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels. The extracts further decreased total leukocyte count. The livers of both extract treated groups showed microfatty changes with a dense collection of lymphoid cells suggesting evidence of very little necrosis or degeneration. The test extracts showed approximately normal wet weight of liver and kidneys. The present findings suggest that the leaves of Urtica parviflora possess potential hepatoprotective activity