Abstract

Carthamus oxyacantha commonly known as “Poli” or “Peeli kandiary” belongs to family Asteraceae/Compositae. Protective and curative effects of alcoholic extract of C. oxyacantha seeds were investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic damage in rats (Sprague Dawley Strain). Hepatic damage was induced by injecting a single intraperitoneal dose of 4 ml (50%v/v) CCl₄ in olive oil. In protective studies, plant extract (400 mg/kg body weight) was given before hepatic damage while in curative studies; hepatic damage was induced before the application of plant extract. The hepatoprotective and hepatocurative effects were monitored by estimating the activities of the serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins, glutathione level serum bilirubin concentration and histopathological studies. Results show that alcoholic extract of seeds of C. oxycantha possessed both hepatoprotective and hepatocurative activity. However, hepatoprotective activity was more pronounced as compared to hepatocurative activity. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical parameters.

Key words:  Carthamus oxyacantha, hepatoprotective, hepatocurative.