Anti-Oxidant Protective Effects of Cassia alata   in Rats Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

The protective activity of Cassia alata against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced hepatotoxicity in rats was assessed. Crude extracts of petals of the plant in 0.5% ethanol were administered by intubation for 14 days prior to injection of 0.5ml Kg-1 CCl4 into the rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, 18 hours after CCl4 administration, decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in rats treated with the extracts than in CCl4 - treated rats only. These findings suggest that Cassia alata may be protective against hepatotoxin-induced liver damage in rats.@JASE