Hepatoprotective activity of Stereospermum suaveolens against CCl4-induced liver damage in albino rats.

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Stereospermum suaveolens DC (Bignoniaceae). Hepatoprotective activity is studied by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in albino rats. The degree of protection in this activity has been measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol and SOD, CAT, GSH, total thiols, NO, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue homogenate. The results suggest that the methanol stem bark extract of Stereospermum suaveolens at the doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg and reference standard Liv-52 treated group produced significant (p <0.001) hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation. The extract significantly (p <0.001) increased levels of SOD, CAT, GSH and total thiols, as compared to control group. Histopathological studies further substantiate the protective effect of the extract. It was concluded that methanol stem bark extract of Stereospermum suaveolens showed effective hepatoprotective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]