Protective effect of Indigofera oblongifolia in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity

The present study aimed at assessing the protective effect of Indigofera oblongifolia on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats using CCl4 (1 mL/day at an interval of 72 hours). CCl4-induced animals were treated with I. oblongifolia at different doses. Hepatoprotection was assessed from activities of marker enzymes in serum and antioxidant status in the liver after an experimental period of 10 days. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly (P < .001) increased in serum of CCl4-induced animals when compared with control animals. Antioxidant status was significantly lowered in CCl4-treated animals with a significant (P < .001) increase in the levels of lipid peroxides [thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)], significantly lower levels of glutathione (GSH), and lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and GSH peroxidase (GPx). The protective effect of I. oblongifolia was evident from lowering of levels of marker enzymes in serum and maintenance of antioxidant status in the liver as seen from lowered levels of TBARS, increased levels of GSH, and increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx. These results show the protective effect of I. oblongifolia and suggest the antioxidant property of the extract.