Evaluation of Hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic, chloroform and aqueous extracts of Convolvulus pluricalis choisy

The study was designed to evaluate hepatoprotective activity of Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy (CP) belonging to the family Gentianaceae in acute experimental injury by paracetamol (PCM) and the effects observed were compared with known hepatoprotective agent silymarin. Alcoholic (AECP), Chlorofom (CECP) and Aqueous (AqCP) extracts of Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy in different doses (150 and 300 mg/kg)were administered to the groups for a period of 10 days which were pretreated with hepatotoxicant paracetamol (2 g/kg). The control group was administered with 1 % Tween 80. The blood sample was collected, centrifuged and the obtained serum was used for the assay of marker enzymes like and the liver was subjected to histopathologyAspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Acid phosphatase (ACP) and Bilirubin. The liver was subjected to histopathology and DNA Fragmentation assay. Hepatotoxic rats pretreated with silymarin or CP extracts exhibited significant decrease in biochemical parameters enzyme level. From the histopathological observation, lymphocyte infiltration and marked necrosis were observed in PCM-treated groups (negative control), whereas maintenance of the normal hepatic structure was observed in group pretreated with silymarinand the plant extracts. More over the DNA was secured in these treated groups compared to the broken DNA in PCM treated group. In conclusion the AECP, CECP and AqCP extracts exhibited hepatoprotective potential and thus warrents further investigation.