Abstract

The hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri was evaluated in an acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity study using 24 male rabbits of the New Zealand White breed. The rabbits were randomly divided into six groups of 4 rabbits each. Group I served as a negative control group and was given only distilled water. Group II received only acetaminophen at 300 mg/kg. Groups III, IV and V were all given 300 mg/kg of acetaminophen followed by varying concentrations of the extract of P. niruri at 100, 50 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Group VI was the positive control for P. niruri and was given 100 mg/kg of the extract. The treatment was given every other day for 28 days. The most significant healing or hepatoprotective effect of the extract of P. niruri was seen in the group administered the extract at 25 mg/kg which showed no significant change in the liver, both grossly and histologically. In most groups, the liver enzyme assay and serum albumins and globulins levels increased slightly, except the group administered 25 mg/kg extract of P. niruri. This study showed that P. niruri has hepatoprotective properties.

Key words: Acetaminophen, hepatotoxicity, Phyllanthus niruri, hepatoprotective, rabbits.