Effect of <i>Rubia cordifolia</i> extract on acetaminophen and CCl₄‐induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Abstract The hepatoprotective activity of an aqueous‐methanol extract of Rubia cordifolia (Rubiaceae) was investigated against acetaminophen and CCl 4 ‐induced hepatic damage. Acetaminophen produced 100% mortality at a dose of 1 g/kg in mice while pretreatment of animals with plant extract (500 mg/kg) reduced the death rate to 30%. Acetaminophen at a dose of 640 mg/kg produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the rise in serum levels of GOT and GPT to 1447±182 and 899±201 IU/L ( n = 10) respectively, compared with respective control values of 97±10 and 36±11. Pretreatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg) lowered significantly ( p &lt;0.005) the respective serum GOT and GPT levels to 161±48 and 73±29. Similarly, hepatotoxic dose of CCl 4 (1.5 mL/kg; orally) raised the serum transaminases (GOT and GPT) levels to 422±102 and 354±74 IU/L ( n = 10) respectively compared with respective control values of 99±15 and 29±08 IU/L. The same dose of plant extract (500 mg/kg) was able to prevent significantly ( p &lt;0.01) the CCl 4 ‐induced rise in serum enzymes and the estimated values of GOT and GPT were 95±09 and 33±07 IU/L, respectively. Moreover, it prevented CCl 4 ‐induced prolongation in pentobarbital sleeping time confirming the hepatoprotective effects of the extract.