Background: The leaves of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (AM) is widely used by tribal people of Chidambaram district (Tamilnadu, India) for the treatment of Jaundice and other liver diseases. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the medicinal potential ethanolic extract of AM as hepatoprotective and antioxidant against acetaminophen-induced liver damage.
Material and methods: The hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of AM was evaluated by acetaminophen-induced liver damage and antioxidant activity was evaluated using in vivo antioxidant models viz. lipid peroxidation assay and glutathione estimation in liver. Liver function tests were measured to detect hepatoprotective activity, which was further supported by histopathological examination.
Results: Ethanol extract of AM reduced elevated level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin significantly which was comparable to standard drug Silymarin in acetaminophen treated Wistar rats (P < 0.01). Further, ethanol extract of AM was found to reduce the elevated levels of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhance the reduced level of glutathione in liver proving antioxidant activity comparable with Silymarin.
Conclusion: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa posses hepatoprotective property and may be effective in oxidative stress-induced cholestatic hepatic injury.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective; Glutathione; Histopathology; Lipid Peroxidation.