Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa in carbon tetrachloride treated rats

The effects of simultaneous treatment of CCI(4) (i.p) with 60 mg/kg (p.o) of aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa on rat liver was evaluated. Analysis of serum ALT and AST activities with those of the concentrations of albumin, total protein, unconjugated and total bilirubin were carried out. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liver was determined to investigate a probable mechanism of action of the extract. Administration of CCI(4) alone to rats significantly increased total bilirubin concentration and the activities of ALT and AST (p < 0.05) in the serum while it significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin concentrations when compared with controls which received distilled water (p.o). Also it significantly increased (p < 0.05) liver MDA content when compared with control. However, simultaneous treatment of CCI(4) with 60 mg/kg of the aqueous extract significantly reversed (p < 0.05) these changes. Results of MDA content of liver homogenates suggest that a probable mechanism of action of the extract is antioxidation. Histopathological studies were carried out on the liver to confirm the observed changes