PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND ITS ETHYLACETATE AND n-BUTANOL FRACTIONS OF SECHIUM EDULE FRUITS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY IN RATS

Ethanolic extract of fruits of Sechium edule and its different fractions (100, 200 mg/kg, p.o) showed significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats by reducing the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total billirubin and hepatic lipid peroxidation and increasing the levels of antioxidants markers like hepatic glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and total protein in a dose dependent manner, which was confirmed by histopathological examination. Thus, the ethanolic extract of fruits of Sechium edule could protect the liver cells from CCl4 induced liver damages, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes.