Anti-hepatotoxic effect of Casuarina stricta and Casuarina suberosa extracts on alcohol-induced liver toxicity in rats

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a global trend toward the use of natural phytochemicals present in natural resources, such as fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and herbs, as antioxidants and functional foods. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective and antioxidant effects of methanolic extract of Casuarina stricta and Casuarina suberosa leaves on ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The ethanol intoxication (1 ml of 40 % ethanol for 100 gm body weight for 6 weeks) to rats resulted in a significant increase in serum ALT, AST, ã glutamyl transferase (ã GT), hydroxyproline, MDA level and a significant decrease in serum albumin, total protein, A/G ratio, total antioxidant capacity, SOD, catalase activities and GSH level, P < 0.05. The treatment with Casuarina stricta and Casuarina suberosa extract at a dose of 250 mg/Kg body weight together with ethanol for 6 weeks successfully prevented the alterations of studied parameters in the treated groups. Both extracts significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity. The experimental results indicate that, both Casuarina extracts have excellent hepatoprotective effect.

KEYWORDS: Casuarina stricta, Casuarina suberosa, liver, antioxidants, ethanol