EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF WITHANIA COAGULANS DUNAL FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST DRUG-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

  • Author Information

    Sugandha, Divya Singh, Aziz Ahmed

  • Sugandha, Divya Singh, Aziz Ahmed
  • EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF WITHANIA COAGULANS DUNAL FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST DRUG-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Liver diseases represent a significant global health burden due to increased exposure to drugs, environmental toxins, and metabolic disorders. The search for safe and effective hepatoprotective agents has led to growing interest in medicinal plants with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. Withania coagulans Dunal is a well-known traditional medicinal plant reported to possess various pharmacological activities. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Withania coagulans fruit extracts against drug-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animals. The plant material was subjected to successive extraction using solvents of varying polarity, followed by preliminary phytochemical screening, which revealed the presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. Hepatotoxicity was induced using paracetamol and isoniazid in Wistar rats, and the protective effect of the extracts was assessed by evaluating biochemical markers including serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin levels. The results demonstrated that treatment with Withania coagulans extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced elevated liver enzyme levels and restored biochemical parameters towards normal values when compared to the toxic control group. Histopathological studies further confirmed the protective effect by showing reduced hepatic necrosis, inflammation, and improved cellular architecture in treated groups. The hepatoprotective effect was found to be comparable to the standard drug silymarin. In conclusion, Withania coagulans exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity, which may be attributed to its antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties. The findings support its traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural alternative for the management of liver disorders.