Protective action of ursolic acid against chemical induced hepato-toxicity in rats

Abstract

Ursolic acid isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus hybrid E. tereticomis showed a dose dependent (5-20 mg/kg) hepatoprotective activity (21-l 00%) in rats against thioacetamide, galactosamine and carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. These hepatotoxins decreased the viability of hepatocytes as assessed by trypan blue exclusion and rate of oxygen uptake tests and decreased the volume of bile as well as the level of its contents. Pretreatment with ursolic acid increased the viability of rat hepatocytes significantly. A potent dose dependent antlcholestatic activity was observed in conscious rat by noticing an increase in bile flow and its contents. Ursolic acid had comparable activity to that of silymarin.