Hepatoprotective effects of solanum nigrum extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Solanum nigrum were investigated against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in male albino rats of Sprague Dowley Strain. Enzymatic activities i.e. Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase, and gross microscopic appearance of liver were used as parameters and hepato protective studies were performed. In case of hepato protective study i.e. pre-treatment of rats with aqueous extracts of plant (500 mg orally, two doses with 24 hours interval) prevented (p <0.001) CCl4 induced rise in activity of serum Transaminases (ALT and AST) and ALP, whereas the alcoholic extract did not prevent the rise of same enzymes, compared to the sham control group in which liver was damaged by CCI4, no treatment given. Histological examination of the liver of animals treated with aqueous extract of plant showed that change in fatty acids was less in comparison to the sham control group. In the treated group, reduction in body-weight was minimal and liver enlargement was also less, as compared to the animals in sham control group. These results indicate that only aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum exhibits hepatoprotective effects, at least within the parameters of the present study. (author)