BACKGROUND: Nothopanax scutellarium is a plant containing substance such as flavonoids, saponins, amygdalin, peroxidase, calcium oxalate, polyphenols, proteins, fats, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and Vitamins A, B1, and C.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of N. scutellarium leaves against rats induced with Cu(II).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) within the range of age 2.5–3 months were used. Each group was composed of three female rats. Group I was a control given a normal diet and distilled water. Group II was exposed to 1000 mg/L of Cu(II) solution with a dosage of 1 mL × bw/200 g. Group III was given 5 mL of antidote N. scutellarium extract for 7 days then exposed to 1000 mg/L of Cu(II) solution with a dosage of 1 mL × bw/200 g. The blood test (malondialdehyde [MDA], serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT], and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT]) and histopathology of liver were examined after 5 h of exposure.
RESULTS: The administration of N. scutellarium as hepatoprotective in experimental rats resulted in significant reductions in MDA, SGOT, and SGPT as much as 33.87%, 51.14 %, and 12.57 %, respectively.
CONCLUSION: This study concluded that indicates the increase of the parameters of liver function and stress oxidative parameters including MDA, SGOT, and SGPT.