HEPATOPROTECTIVE STUDIES OF A FRACTION FROM THE FRUITS OF TERMINALIA-BELERICA ROXB ON EXPERIMENTAL LIVER-INJURY IN RODENTS

The effects of an orally administered fraction (TB5) from the fruits of Terminalia belerica in experimental liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were studied. Hexobarbitone-induced sleep, zoxazolamine-induced paralysis, transaminases, bilirubin, total protein in serum and microsomal lipid peroxidation and triglycerides in liver were used as indices of liver injury. A significant hepatoprotective effect was observed as evident from shortened hexobarbitone 'sleep time' and zoxazolamine 'paralysis time' when compared with CCl4 alone. Pre- and post-treatment of TB5 reduced, in a dose dependent manner, the elevated levels of serum tranaminases and bilirubin in rats, thus demonstrating its effect both as a prophylactic and curative. Its protective effects on microsomal lipid peroxidation and triglycerides in liver suggest a restorative effect in the process of CCl4-induced liver damage. TB5 did not show any signs of toxicity up to oral doses of 3.2 g/kg in mice.