Hepatoprotective and hepatocurative effects of Spilanthes acmella Murr against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.

Hepatotoxicity is appreciably escalating health dilemma worldwide and the degree of the problem has encouraged importance in the exploration for hepatotherapeutic agents from plants. In the current research work, the hepatoprotective/hepatocurative activity of methanolic extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr aerial parts in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in rabbits by the analysis of different liver enzymes including ALT, AST, ALP along with histopathological investigations. In first phase of the study, paracetamol toxicated rabbits were treated with extract and standard drug jatepar TM. The hepatotoxicant (paracetamol) significantly increased the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase compared to normal control. Spilanthes acmella Murr at (400 mg/kg) reversed the elevation in the level of ALP, AST and ALT caused by the hepatotoxicants and jetepar^R TM (standard) also reversed the deleterious effects of the hepatotoxicants. In second phase of this study, extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr was given to rabbits for ten days then paracetamol was administered in one group and level of liver parameters was paralleled with regular control group and the group that was receiving the extract. It is concluded that methanolic extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr aerial parts possesses hepatocurative and hepatoprotective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]