Hepatoprotective Effect of Whole Plant Powder Leucas aspera Spreng

Background: In recent years plant origin drugs have gained more popularity as hepatoprotective agents owing to their safety, low-cost and efficacy and thus for safe hepatoprotective agents will be having an ever-increasing demand. Materials and Methods: Hepatoprotective activity of Leucas aspera Spreng (Dronapushpi panchanga) powder was conducted using albino Wistar rats in hepatotoxicity model triggered by paracetamol. The test drugs and reference standard were given through oral route and toxicant was given through intramuscular route. The degree of protection was determined on the basis of reversal or attenuation of toxicant induced modification to the biochemical parameters and changes in histopathology. Results: Serum transaminase, total bilirubin, ALP, and other test results are significantly altered when paracetamol is administered. Hepatoprotection ranges from fair to good to be demonstrated by the reversal of key biochemical variables' values, such as total bilirubin and SGPT, in both the test and reference compounds. Liver sections from the reference compound and test drug groups that were pre-treated and that received paracetamol injections showed mild to moderate disturbance, relatively less degenerative changes and necrosis than the toxicant control group, and nearly normal cytoarchitecture, indicating very good hepatoprotection, according to a histopathological study. Conclusion: Principal biochemical indicators such as total bilirubin and SGPT are reversed in both reference and test medicines, indicating moderate to good hepatoprotection. Similar findings are also observed in histopathological analysis.