DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v21i1.13232 J. Dhaka Med. Coll. 2012; 21(1): 12-15

The protective effects of ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica leaves and seeds in compoarison to vitamin E, were studied on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Long Evans Rats. Different groups of animals were administered in the paracetamol (1500mg /kg, p.o.) for 7 days. Ethanolic extracts of leaves and seeds of Tamarindus indica (1250mg/kg) with parallel vitamin E (500 mg/kg), were administered to paracetamol pretreated rats. On treatment with paracetamol a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were observed. On administration of ethanolic extracts of leaves and seeds a significant decrease in the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed and histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed an almost return to normal architecture. The result were almost comparable to vitamin E, a known hepatoprotective agent. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i2.17645 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(2): 63-67

Gut bacteria are considered to be body's first line of defense against ingested xenobiotics. Various nutritional and enviormental factors play a role in bacterial growth and multiplication. Bacteria exposed to arsenic in high concentration for a long period showed growth inhibition. Influence of nutrition on bacterial growth and multiplication was observed by giving selenium (0.4 µg/day), vitamin E (1 mg/day), folic acid (200 µg/day) supplementation. Selenium and vitamin E were able to overcome the inhibitory effect of arsenic on gut flora. Selenium not only increased gut bacterial count, it also increased arsenic excretion in stool. Folic acid could not overcome the inhibitory effect of arsenic on gut flora but there was significant decrease in liver arsenic level suggestive of hepatic mehylation of arsenic.