Protective Effect of Aerva jevanica Against Ethanol Induced Hepatic Stress in Rats: A Randomized Control Report

Background: Aerva jevanica (AJME) possess antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects, and traditionally in Pakistan for liver diseases. Methods: 24 male albino rats were divided into five groups of 4 chicks of each, having free access to food and water. Group I (control) while group II, III and IV were treated with ethanol 24 hrs for 2 weeks. Rats group II received only ethanol group III received silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg while group IV was given AJME (200 mg/kg). The activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and were determined in serum. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione-S transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSR) activity was measured in liver homogenates. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) concentration were also evaluated in liver homogenates. Results: Hepatotoxicity induced with ethanol was evidenced by significant increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and serum, ALT, ALP, LDH. Level of GSH determined in liver was significantly reduced, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, GSH-Px, GSR, GST treated with ethanol. AJME (200 mg/kg bw) and silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) co-treatment prevented all the changes observed with ethanol-treated rats. Conclusion: The results of present work indicate that AJME has a significant protective effect against ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in chicks, which may be due to their antioxidant potential.