Hepato-Protective and Curative Activities of Leaf Extracts of Andrographis paniculata in Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Damage in Experimental Male Rats

The liver is a vital organ in the body that performs many functions. Many of these functions generate free radicals, which degenerate to loss of liver function. The antioxidants in the body neutralize the effect of the free radicals generated. The body is healthy when the antioxidants adequately neutralize free radicals. Carbon tetrachloride is usually used to model experimental liver damage in animals. This research investigated the possible protective and curative effect of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata leaf on CCl4-induced liver damage in male rats. Liver damage was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1.25 ml CCl4 in olive oil (1:1 v/v) per kilogram body weight of animals. The animals were treated with 300 mg of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of A. paniculata per kg body weight of animals, pre-and postCCl4 administration. The levels of total protein, albumin and reduced glutathione were reduced. Also, the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were reduced, while the levels of MDA and total bilirubin were elevated. These alterations were reversed in the animals administered with the extracts of A.paniculata. This study suggested the protective and curative potential of A.paniculata extracts in CCl4-induced liver damage