Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Essential Oil of Etlingera Fenzlii (Kurz) Skronick & M. Sabu (Zingiberaceae)

ABSTRACT

Background: Etlingera fenzlii (Kurz) Skronick & M. Sabu (Zingiberaceae), is an endemic species of theAndaman Nicobar Islands. Used by the nomadic tribes, shompens as honey bee repellent and also usedagainst malaria fever, gastrointestinal disorders, wherein the root and flower is boiled in water and used towash the uterus after child birth.Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the essential oil of Etlingera fenzlii (EOEF) in ethanolinduced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats and silymarin was used as positive control.Methods: Standard drug (Silymarin), essential oil, ethanol were administered orally for 28 days. On 28th dayanimals were sacrificed and blood was collected for assessment of AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin,globulin and histopathological changes in the liver of different groups were also studied.Results: Oral administration of ethanol significantly increased biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT,ALP levels and whereas reverse was observed with test compounds (Silymarin and essential oil).Histopathological studies further substantiate the hepatoprotective effect of E.fenzlii essential oil.Conclusion: Our observation indicates that essential oil of E.fenzlii shows hepatoprotective activity comparedto standard drug silymarin. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use ofE.fenzlii in the management of liver disorders.