Hepato protective activity of ethanolic and ethyl acetate extract of Ruellia Tuberosa L. (whole plant) against N-Nitrosodiethylamine induced liver cancer in wistar albino rats

In Indian traditional system of medicine, herbal remedies are prescribed for the treatment of various diseases including liver diseases. The present study aims to carry out a systematic investigation of the protective influences of the ethyl acetate and ethanolic extract of R.tuberosa against N-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepato-carcinogenesis in wistar albino rats. Liver function was assessed by the determination of AST, ALT and ALP levels along with histopathological examinations. The serum biochemical analysis suggests that the use of ethanolic extract of R.tuberosa exhibited significant protective effect from hepatic damage in N-Nitrosodiethylamine induced hepato-toxicity model. Hepatic enzyme induction is generally an adaptive response associated with increases in liver weight, induction of gene expression, and morphological changes in hepatocytes. Histopathological studies revealed further evidence for its hepatoprotective activity.