MIKANIA-CORDATA ROOT EXTRACT IN THE INHIBITION OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF ENZYME LEAKAGE IN MICE WITH CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER-DAMAGE

The effects of Mikania cordata root extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injury were investigated. Lipid peroxidation, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used as the marker for functional efficiency of the liver cells. A 7.8% inhibition of lipid peroxide levels in liver homogenate was noted at a dose of 10 mg/kg and the inhibition was more prominent (68.7%) at the optimum dose level of 150 mg/kg. The inhibitory values were 4.3% and 30.4% at the low and the high (optimum) doses tested, respectively, in the case of lipid peroxide levels in the hepatic lipid fraction. At a dose of 150 mg/kg, a maximum inhibition of the increased enzyme levels was observed (i.e. SGOT, 15.6%; SGPT, 13.4%; LDH, 22.8%). This observation suggests that Mikania cordata root extract induced a recovery from the damage caused in liver tissue during CCl4 administration.