Hepatoprotective activity of Gumma (Leucas cephalotes Spreng.) against Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in wistar rats

The objective of the study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Gumma (Leucas cephalotes Spreng.) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced hepatotoxicity. Hepatic damage was induced by the administration of CCl(4) in wistar rats. Hydro alcoholic (1:1) extract of Gumma (583mg/kg orally) was used to screen the extent of hepatoprotection in the rats subjected to hepatotoxicity. The protective effect was compared against the plain control and negative control groups treated with distilled water (p.o.) and CCl(4) in the dose of 0.7ml/kg, i.p. daily. The liver function test and histopathological examination of liver tissue was conducted to assess the hepatoprotective effect. The comparison among different treatments was carried out using one way ANOVA with post hoc Dunnett's multiple comparison test. The mean serum markers of liver function in plain control for Bilirubin, AST, ALT and ALKP were 0.69 ± 0.04, 34.85 ± 4.45, 16.84 ± 4.64 and 33.85 ± 3.20 whereas in CCl(4) treated group, the values were found to be 4.42 ± 0.71, 99.33 ± 13.89, 127.83 ± 6.55 and 70.83 ± 11.26, respectively. In pre-treated group, Bilirubin, AST, ALT and ALKP were observed to be 0.67 ± 0.03, 32.97 ± 7.77, 42.57 ± 2.03 and 42.42 ± 4.41 while in post-treated 6.68 ± 0.90, 145.66 ± 33.37, 44.16 ± 5.16 and 56.83 ± 10.44, and in concurrent group 0.24 ± 0.07, 21 ± 3.66, 37.48 ± 4.38 and 40.4 ± 7.03, respectively.Histologically, no significant pathology was observed in the liver of Plain control group, while extensive hepatocellular damage was seen in CCl(4) treated group. Pre-treated group showed no significant damage, while liver of Concurrent group showed moderate hepatocellular damage, whereas Post-treated group showed moderate to severe hepatocellular damage. The extract of Gumma (Leucas cephalotes Spreng.) caused significant lowering of serum markers of liver function to near normal in chemically challenged animals (p0.01). It also reversed the liver tissue damage caused by CCl(4). Prophylactic effect has been more marked than the curative effect. Thus, the findings suggest that Gumma possesses hepatoprotective effect.