RESUMEN
The methanol extract of Swertia chirata was evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in experimental rats. The extract was found to be active and on fractionation into butanol soluble and chloroform soluble fractions, the activity was traced and found more profound in the chloroform soluble fraction. The butanol soluble bitter rich fraction showed marginal activity. The results based on biochemical estimations have been expressed statistically and are additionally supported by histopathological examination of the liver of experimental rats and pentobarbitone induced sleep time studies in mice.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación por Tetracloruro de Carbono/prevención & control , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/prevención & control , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Plantas Medicinales/química , Animales , Butanoles , Intoxicación por Tetracloruro de Carbono/patología , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/patología , Cloroformo , Femenino , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , India , Hígado/patología , Hígado/fisiopatología , Pruebas de Función Hepática , Masculino , Metanol , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos , Pentobarbital/farmacología , Ratas , Sueño/efectos de los fármacos , SolventesRESUMEN
The extracts of Swertia chirata were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity using paracetamol and galactosamine models. The methanol extract of the whole plant was found active at a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. On fractionating this extract into chloroform soluble and butanol soluble fractions, the activity was retained in the chloroform soluble fraction which was most active at a dose level of 25 mg/kg i.p. with overall protection of 81% and 78% against paracetamol and galactosamine, respectively. The butanol soluble fraction, rich in bitter secoiridoids, was devoid of significant activity. The protective effect observed against these two hepatotoxins which are different in their mechanisms of inducing hepatotoxicity, suggests broader and non-specific protection of the liver against these two toxins by non-bitter components of Swertia chirata.