Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Peel of Punica Granatum

Objectives To study the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of peel of Punica granatum. Materials and Methods Present study was conducted on adult albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 150-200 grams. Rats were divided into five groups (n=5) and hepatotoxicity was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 1ml/kg dissolved in olive oil (11) given intraperitoneally on day 1 and day 4 of the study. Silymarin in the dose of 50mg/kg/day was administered orally as a standard drug. Test groups were given ethanolic extract of peel of Punica granatum (PEE) at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg/day orally along with CCl4. All animals were sacrificed on the 15th day. Hepatoprotective effect of PEE was assessed by the physical parameters, histopathological examination and biochemical parameters (Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Total serum bilirubin). Results The administration of PEE of Punica granatum at doses of 200mg/kg/day and 400mg/kg/day orally, exhibited a highly significant decrease in the rise of mean serum AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin as compared to CCL4 treated group (pless than0.001). Hepatoprotective activity of PEE of Punica granatum was seen in the form of restoration of hepatic architecture towards normal. Decrease in the extent of centrilobular necrosis and congestion of sinusoids was also observed in PEE (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) treated rats when compared to CCL4 treated group. Conclusion The study showed hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of peel of Punica granatum against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats.