Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Schefflera venulosa and S. Wallichiana (Araliaceae) Protects the Liver Against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) - Induced Hepatic Damage in Albino Rats

The hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extracts of S. venulosa (AESV) and S. wallichiana (AESW) leaves on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in albino rats was investigated. Animals were pretreated with the AESV (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and AESW (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days and then challenged with CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight) in olive oil (1:1 v/v) on the 15th day. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and total bilirubin. Further the effects of both the extracts on catalase (CAT), peroxidase (Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in both CCl4 treated and extract treated groups. Oral administration of AESV and AESW (500 mg/kg body weight) significantly protected from CCl4-induced elevation in SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total bilirubin, total protein and decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes namely SOD, CAT and Px. The extracts (AESV and AESW at 500 mg/kg body weight) also protected against histopathological damage induced by CCl4 such as distorted hepatocytes and necrosis. The present study suggests that AESV has potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity when compared to AESW. Key words: Schefflera species, hepatoprotective, CCl4, antioxidant enzymes.