Caesalpinia crista seeds-in vivo screening of hepatoprotective efficacy against CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity

Ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia crista(commonly known as Latakaranja) seeds, belonging to family Caesalpiniaceae, was evaluated for hepatoprotective efficacy in Wistar rats against hepatic injury carbon induced tetrachloride. The toxicant CCl4(1:1 mixture in olive oil)was administered to rats (3 mL/kg)i.p., twice a week for 4 weeks to induce liver toxicity. The ethanolic extract of seeds of Caesalpinia cristawas administered at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg p.o., daily for 4weeks and Silymarin (100 mg/kg p.o.) was used as a standard drug. Biochemical parameters such as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin were assessed and histopathological studies of the liver were performed to evaluate the hepatoprotective efficacy of the extract. Treatment of rats administered with C. crista seed extract showed a significant decrease in CCl4-induced elevated serum enzyme levels as well as a significant increase in total protein levels that was lowered by the hepatotoxic compound used and the results were comparable to Silymarin