Prevention of alcohol-carbon tetrachloride-induced signs of early hepatotoxicity in mice by Trianthema portulacastrum L

The antihepatotoxic potential of an ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (excluding the roots) was evaluated against alcohol-carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver damage in mice. The extract at a dose of 50,100 or 150 mg/kg was administered per os once daily for successive three days concomitant with alcohol-CCl4 treatment.-The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol and glutamate dehydrogenase due to alcohol-CCl4 treatment were dose-dependently restored towards normalization following the extract therapy. There was a marked inhibition of serum bilirubin und urea levels in the plant extract-treated groups which were otherwise drastically increased in alcohol-CCl4, control animals. The extract also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation (evidence of lipid peroxidation) and depletion of reduced glutathione content in liver of mice intoxicated with alcohol-CCl4 in a dose-responsive fashion. The results of this study clearly indicate that the plant possesses a potent hepatoprotective action against alcohol-CCl4-induced hepatocellular injury which corroborates its use in hepatic disorders as well as alcohol-evoked liver ailments in traditional oriental medicine.