ABSTRACT
The alcoholic extract of fresh leaves of the plant Eclipta alba (Ea), previously reported for is hepatoprotective activity was fractionated into three parts to chemically identify the most potent bioactive fraction. The hepatoprotective potential of the fraction prepared from extract was studied in vivo in rats and mice against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective activity was determined on the basis of their effects on parameters like hexobarbitone sleep time, zoxazolamine paralysis time, bromosulphaline clearance, serum transaminases and serum bilirubin. Fraction EaII (10-80 mg/kg, p.o.) containing coumestan wedelolactone and desmethylwedelolactone as major components with apigenin, luteolin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocateuic acid as minor constituents exhibited maximum hepatoprotective activity and is the active fraction for hepatoprotective activity of Eclipta alba leave. The acute toxicity studies have shown that like Ea, Fraction EaII also high safety margin.
Subject(s)
Liver/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Protective Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Female , Male , Mice , RatsABSTRACT
The distribution pattern of the alkaloids of A. Vasica has been studied with change of season. The study also resulted in the detection of glycosides and N-oxides of vasicine and vasicinone.
