Protective effects of Indigofera tinctoria L. against D-Galactosamine and carbon tetrachloride challenge on 'in situ' perfused rat liver.

ABSTRACT

The effect of pre-treatment with Indigofera tinctoria (IT) extract against the toxicity of D-Galactosamine (D-GalN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) during 'in situ' perfusion of the liver for 2 hr was studied in rats. Release of LDH and levels of urea in the liver effluent perfusate, was studied and the rate of bile flow was monitored. Perfusion with D-Galactosamine (5 mM) or carbon tetrachloride (0.5 mM) resulted in increased LDH leakage, decreased urea levels in the liver effluent and reduction in bile flow. IT pretreatment (500 mg/kg body weight) in vivo ameliorated D-GalN and CCl4 induced adverse changes towards near normalcy and thereby indicates its hepatoprotective effects in rats.