A study to evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of roots of Valeriana wallichii in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

their folklore claim in the book by Hakim Abdul Wahid (1961) 1 and experimented for potential hepatoprotection in albino rats. It is known as "Tagar" in Hindi and Indian Valerian in English. METHODS The roots of Valariana wellichi was purchased from local herbal dealer. It was identified & authenticated by botanist and a voucher specimen was submitted ABSTRACT Background: Drugs for liver ailments have been important in research, but still the number of drugs acting on various hepatic diseases is very limited. This study, for the fi rst time, evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of the roots of Valeriana Wallichii in albino rats. Methods: The hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl 4. Animals were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. Group I (Normal control) was given only distilled water. Group II (Negative control)was administered CCl 4 for 7 days while Group III (Positive control) was given silymarin and CCl 4 for 7 days. The test groups (Group IV & V) were given an aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 300 mg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The animals were sacrifi ced on 8 days and blood was collected for biochemical analysis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase). Liver tissue was extracted for histopathological examination and in vivo antioxidant tests Catalase [CAT], glutathione and malondialdehyde. The extract was also subjected to in vitro antioxidant tests (Total reducing power and total phenolic content). Results: The test extracts in the dose of 500 mg/kg were shown a signifi cant decrease in the levels of AST and ALT (p>0.05) and CAT activity. 300 mg/kg dose of extract showed minimal hepatoprotection. The fi ndings were confi rmatory to histopathology. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 500 mg/kg offers partial protection against hepatotoxicity produced by CCl 4 in albino rats.