Hepatoprotective activity of Benincasa hispida alcoholic dried fruit extract against paracetamol-induced liver damage in Albino rats. - R.M Singh, M.pharm, RGUHS, Bangluru, karnataka, India

Hepatoprotective activity of Benincasa hispida alcoholic dried fruit extract against paracetamol-induced liver damage in Albino rats

R.M Singh, M.pharm, RGUHS, Bangluru, karnataka, India

Abstract and Introduction:

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. which belongs to Cucurbitaceae family, is annual climbing plant, fruits are commonly called as winter melon or ash melon. It is a popular vegetable crop,

which is especially available among Asian communities both for nutritional and medicinal purposes. It was probably native in both Japan and Java, cultivated more or less throughout the India and also

in warm countries. It has been used as a medicinal plant by Ayurvedic treatment and Sri Lankan traditional physicians since antiquity. It is used singly or in various formulations in the combination withdifferent types of medicaments in Ayurveda and traditional medicine

both. The fruits, pericarp, seeds, stems, roots and leaves of this plant are used in various types of preparations like vegetable, and in pickles, curries and preserves. It is used in the internal treatment for the urinary disorders such as calculi, dysuria, pain in pelvis and genitals, disorders like gastritis, gastric ulcers, worm infestation, hyperdipsea, anaemia, jaundice, diabetes mellitus, piles, fever,

internal haemorrhages, hemoptysis, general debility, epilepsy, cough, hoarseness, all kinds of the asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, ulceration of the lungs, heart diseases, testosterone-induced prostatic hypertrophy and especially in the vitiated condition of the Pitta Dosha. Externally, it is showed such a anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic and

antimicrobial effects. Rejuvenate, antioxidant, anti-ageing, nutritive,

tonic, diuretic, aphrodisiac, nephron protective, styptic, vermin fugue,

antidiabetic, hyperlipidemic, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant property,

antidepressant and antimicrobial in the properties of Benincasa hispida are significant and scientifically proven. It is concluded that Benincasa hispida is with the multi-faceted medicinal values. Fruits

were traditionally used as a laxative, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, urinary calculi, blood disease, insanity, epilepsy, schizophrenia and other psychologic disorders, jaundice, dyspepsia,

fever, and menstrual disorders etc. The major chemical constituents of

Benincasa hispida fruits are likes volatile oils, flavonoids, glycosides, sacchrides, proteins, carotenes, vitamins, minerals, ß-sitosterin and uronic acid.Benincasa hispida has been reported with the active

principles such as terpenes, flavanoid, cardio glycosides and sterols which have antioxidant effects. And We wanted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Binincasa Hispida and also observe whether synergistic hepatoprotection exists with silymarin.

Materials and Methods:

Albino rats (150–200 g) were divided into five groups. Groups A and B were normal and experimental controls, respectively. Groups C, D and E received the alcoholic extract of Benincasa Hispida Dried fruit extracts (BHDFE)200 mg/kg BW/day, silymarin 100 mg/kg BW/day and BHDFE 100 mg/kg BW/day + silymarin 50 mg/kg BW/day p.o., respectively, for 10 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced in Groups B, C, D and E on the eighth day with paracetamol 2 g/kg BW/day. The hepatoprotective effect was evaluated by performing an assay of the serum proteins, albumin globulin ratio, alkaline phosphatase, transaminases and liver histopathology. The assay results were presented as mean and standard error of mean (SEM) for each group. The study group was compared with the control group by one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferoni's test. A P-value of <0.01 was considered significant.

Conclusion:

The Benincasa hispida alcoholic dried fruit extract shows significant hepatoprotective activity and synergism with silymarin.