ABSTRACT

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (NNE and NNA respectively) was evaluated by paracetamol and Isoniazid-rifampicine (INH-RMP) induced hepatotoxicity models. In paracetamol induced hepatoxicity model, NNA 400 and NNE 400 produced significant (p<0.005) reduction in SGOT level when compared to that of control group. Treatment with NNE 200, NNE 400 and NNA 400 produced significant reduction (p<0.01) in SGPT levels when compared to that of control group. SALP levels were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in animals treated with Silymarin (standard), ethanolic and aqueous extracts at both doses when compared to that of control. In INH-RMP induced hepatotoxicity model, significant (p<0.001) reduction in SGOT levels was produced in animals treated with NNA 200 and 400, NNE 200 and 400, when compared to control group animals. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Nelumbo nucifera at both doses produced significant (p<0.05 and 0.001 respectively) decrease in the SGPT and SALP levels when compared with control group. Hepatoprotective activity was found to be dose dependent. Significant hepatoprotective activity produced by ethanolic & aqueous extracts of Nelumbo nucifera may be a consequence of synergistic effect of the constituents present in the extracts namely, β-sitosterol and flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin etc.) The results suggest that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts (NNE and NNA) of Nelumbo nucifera aerial parts possess significant hepatoprotective activity.