Hepatoprotective activity in the rat of ursolic acid isolated from eucalyptus hybrid

Abstract

Abstract Ursolic acid has been evaluated for its choleretic, anticholestatic and hepatoprotective activities in rats. It produced a dose‐dependent (5–20 mg/kg) choleretic effect. Significant anticholestatic activity (27.9–100%) was observed against paracetamol (2.0 g/kg) induced cholestasis. The compound also showed a marked hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol and galactosamine (800 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity by reversing the altered values in viability of the isolated hepatocytes and the altered biochemical liver and serum parameters. The activity of ursolic acid compared well with the known hepatoprotective drug, silymarin.