Therapeutic Effects of Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) and Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera L.) on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

T HIS investigation aimed to study the effect of gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) and sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera L.) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats.Thirty male albino rats weighing 150±5g were divided into 6 equal groups (n=5 rats), one group kept as control negative, while the other 5 groups injected s/c by CCl4 in olive oil 50% V/V (2mL / kg b.wt.) twice a week for two weeks for liver intoxication incidence, one of them left as (C +ve) while the rest four groups orally administered using two doses 5 & 10% of gymnema and sea grape each. At the end of experimental period (45 days), blood samples were collected for serum separation to determine serum liver enzymes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, atherosclerosis index, lipoprotein fractions and kidney functions. The obtained results demonstrated that gymnema and sea grape at two doses 5 &10%, especially at high dose for each herb caused significant improvement in liver enzymes, lipid profile, serum glucose and kidney functions in hepatotoxic rats. According to the results, gymnema and sea grape could improve the levels of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, glucose and kidney functions in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.