Hepatoprotective activity of the leaf extracts from Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f) Ettingsh against carbon tetrachloride –induced toxicity in wistar albino rats

Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f) Ettingsh (Loranthaceae) is a medicinally active, bushy parasitic plant growing on a variety of host plants in the dense forests of India. The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts using carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in wistar albino rats. The study revealed that both ethanol and aqueous extracts significantly reduced AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin levels and increased the total protein and albumin levels. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The liver histology of the ethanolic extract treated group showed microfatty changes with a dense collection of lymphoid cells suggesting evidence of very little necrosis or degeneration. The present findings suggest that the leaves of Dendrophthoe falcata possess potential hepatoprotective activity. The phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the ethanol extract of leaves of Dendrophthoe falcata are responsible for the hepatoprotective activity. The present study scientifically validated the traditional use of Dendrophthoe falcata for liver disorders. In conclusion the ethanol extract of Dendrophthoe falcata leaves could be an important source of hepatoprotective compounds.