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Methanolic extract of Feronia limonia (MEFL) was studied on paracetamol induced hepatic injury in rats. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, cholesterol, HDL, tissue GSH and lipid peroxidation were tested in both treated and untreated groups. Pre-treatment with MEFL reduced biochemical markers of hepatic injury like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, cholesterol and lipid peroxide levels and increased HDL, GSH levels. Treatment with MEFL (200, 400, 600mg/kg) has brought back the altered levels of biochemical markers to the near normal levels in the dose dependent manner. A significant hepatoprotective activity of the methanol extract of Feronia limonia leaves.
INTRODUCTION
Liver is the most important organ, which plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological processes in the body. It is involved in several vital functions such as metabolism, secretion and storage. It has great capacity to detoxicate toxic substances and synthesize useful principles. Therefore, damage to the liver inflicted by hepatotoxic agents is of grave consequences (Shahani 1999; Subramoniam 1999). Liver diseases are mainly caused by toxic chemicals, excess consumption of alcohol, infections and autoimmune disorders. Most of the hepatotoxic chemicals damage liver cells mainly by inducing lipid peroxidation and other oxidative damages (Recknagel 1983; Wendel et al. 1987; Dianzani et al. 1991). In spite of tremendous advances in modern medicine, there are no effective drugs available that stimulate liver function, offer protection to the liver from damage or help to regenerate hepatic cells (Chattopadhyay 2003). In absence of reliable liver protective drugs in modern medicine, there are number of medicinal preparations in ayurveda recommended for the treatment of liver disorders and their usage is in vogue since centuries (Chatterjee2000).
Feronia limonia belongs to rutaceae family commonly known as wood apple or elephant apple, is a moderate size tree which is native of India and occurs up to an elevation of 1500 feet in western Himalayas. Ripe fruit of F.limonia contain tyramine derivative acicissimol, acidissiminin, sepxide, N.benzoyl tyramine and stigmasterol (Anonymous 1995). It is useful as tonic in diarrhoea, dysentery, stomatitis, tumors, cough, asthma, leucorrhoea, wounds and ulcers. Fruits, leaves and stem bark of F.limonia have been studied for anti-tumor (Saima et al. 2000) larvicidal (Rahuman et al. 2000) and antimicrobial activity (Rahuman et al. 2002;...