Hepatoprotective Activity of Justicia gendarusa Linn. Leaves in Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Abstract

Aim of the present study is to screen phytochemical compounds present in Methanolic Extract of Justicia gendarusa (MEJG) leaves and determine the hepatoprotective activity using established Carbon Tetrachloride induced model. Mice were divided into five groups of six animals in each group. The hepatotoxicity induced by oral administration of CCl₄ dissolves in olive oil (1ml/kg b.w.), while vehicle control group given food and water only. Standard drug, silymarin (50 mg/kg) was used as the standard group. The MEJG at the doses of 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w. received by treated group for seven consecutive days followed by a single oral dose of CCl₄ on 7 day. Blood samples and livers were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The hepatoprotective activity of MEJG against the inducer exhibit significant (p < 0.05) results as indicated by the improvement in the liver function test. The histological findings of observation supported hepatoprotective activity of the plant. In conclusion, plant leaves of Justicia gendarusa possessed hepatoprotective activity, which requires further study in terms of its isolation of active phytochemicals present in the plant, which were responsible for the activity.