PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PHYLLANTHUS POLYPHYLLUS ON ACETAMINOPHEN INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Methanolic extract of Phyllanthus polyphyllus was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in rats. The plant extract (200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. Acetaminophen induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO) with a reduction of total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Treatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (200 and 300 mg/kg) significantly (P 0.001) altered serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels to near normal against acetaminophen treated rats. The activity of the extract at dose of 300 mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control. Results indicate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Phyllanthus polyphyllus against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.