Hepatoprotective activity of active fractions of Thespesia lampas Dalz and Gibs (Malvaceae)

In the absence of satisfactory treatment using conventional medicine, treatment of liver disorders remains as one of the major medical problems.[1] Numerous medicinal plants are used in local health traditions to treat liver disorders. [1] In the recent past, studies have shown varying levels of hepatoprotective properties in traditional plants found in Kerala, India, such as Phyllanthus maderaspatensis, Phyllanthus rheedii, Thespesia populena, Momordica subangulata, Naregamia alata, Lygodium flexuosum, Cheilanthes farinosa, Physalis peruviana, and Trichopus zeylanicus.[2-6] However, many medicinal plants used in remote villages and tribal pockets of Kerala remain to be studied. Thespesia lampas Dalz. and Gibs (family Malvaceae) is one such plant. This plant root is used in folklore medicine to treat liver diseases in Attapadi Hills of Western Ghats, Kerala. In traditional medicine, its roots and fruits are used for treating gonorrhea, jaundice, and syphilis. Studies have shown that the plant possesses anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-hyperlipidaemic, and anthelmintic activities. The traditional use of this plant as a hepato- protective agent has not been verified. This study was carried out to get insights into the utility of T. lampas to develop a satisfactory hepatoprotective medicine.