Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of leaves of Tylophora indica linn

ABSTRACT

The leaves of Tylophora indica Linn, were traditionally used to treat bronchitis, diarrhoea, dysentery and as emetic, etc. However indigenous practitioners have claimed that the leaves are highly useful in the treatment of jaundice. Hence the present study was planned to verify this claim. Administration of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Tylophora indica protect liver from the toxic effect of carbon tetrachloride by restoring the levels of serum bilirubin and serum marker enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase as compared to the standard drug Silymarin treated rats. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with the extracts showed the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and fatty infiltration which further evidenced the hepatoprotective activity