Hepatoprotective effects of Ficus racemosa stem bark against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in albino rats

In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of petroleum ether (FRPE) and methanol (FRME) extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) stem bark were studied using the model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. CCl4 administration induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, urea and a significant increase (P <= 0.01) in total bilirubin associated with a marked elevation in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as compared to control rats. Further, CCl4 intoxication caused significant increase in the TBARS and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels in serum, liver and kidney. Pretreatment with FRPE and FRME restored total protein and albumin to near normal levels. Both the extracts resulted in significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT and ALP, compared to CCl4-treated rats. However, a greater degree of reduction was observed in FRME pretreated group (FRPE 43%, 38%, and 33%; FRME 55%, 73%, and 38%). Total bilirubin content decreased from 2.1 mg/dL in CCl4-treated rats to 0.8 and 0.3 mg/dL in FRPE and FRME pretreated rats, respectively. The extracts improved the antioxidant status considerably as reflected by low TBARS and high GSH values. FRME exhibited higher hepatoprotective activity than a standard liver tonic (Liv52), while the protective effect of FRPE was similar to that of Liv52. The protective effect of F. racemosa was confirmed by histopathological profiles of the liver. The results indicate that F. racemosa possesses potent hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats.