Hepatoprotective Effect of an Indian Salt Marsh Herb Suaeda Monoica Forsk. Ex. Gmel Against Concanavalin-A Induced Toxicity in Rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Suaeda monoica Forsk. ex. Gmel on Con-A induced male Wistar albino rats. In acute toxicity study, ethanolic extract of Suaeda monoica leaves 250-3500mg.kg-1 bw was administered through oral gavages and observed for the physical signs of toxicity for 14 days. The plant extract treated groups were received different concentration of extracts (50, 100 and 300mg.kg-1 bw) for 15 days and Con-A was administered (i.v) 12mg.kg-1 bw on 15th day. The level of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilurubin (direct and indirect) were estimated in blood serum. Pretreatment of rats with the plant extract (300mg.kg-1 bw) showed significant reduction (P<0.05) of protective effect by reducing the serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, cholesterol and bilirubin parameters and increased level of PTN and ALB. Histopathological examination of the liver sections revealed that, the normal liver architecture was disturbed by hepatotoxin intoxication. The section obtained from the extract group and silymarin group were retained the cell architecture, although less visible changes observed in the sections of the rats treated with ethanolic extract and Con-A. LD50 was calculated as 3.0g.kg-1 bw. The silymarin (100mg.kg-1 bw) was used as a positive control. The present finding was comparable with Silymarin reference as hepatoprotective drug. The ethanolic extract of Suaeda monoica leaves seems to possess hepatoprotective activity in rats.