Abstract

Usha Rani K.,Amirtham D, *Nataraja Thamizh Selvam

Nilgirianthus ciliatus (Nees) Bremek is used in traditional system of India to treat various diseases. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of the bark of N. ciliatus against paracetamol toxicity (2.5 mg/kg b.wt, p.o) liver damage in Wistar albino rats was evaluated. The test drug was used at two different concentrations as 250mg/kg b.wt p.o, and 500mg/kg b.wt p.o.,and Silymarin (100mg/kg b.wt. p.o) as positive control. The biochemical parameters comprising of liver marker enzymes SGOT, SGPT, ALP levels were measured in all the groups. The study showed the methanolic extract of N. ciliatus having significant hepatoprotective effect as evidenced by the decreased liver marker enzyme levels when compared with the control. The histological study on liver, kidney and heart tissues of treated groups showed the supporting evidence for the hepatoprotective activity of plant extract.