Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant activity of the marine red algae Acanthophora Spicifera on CCl₄ induced liver toxicity in rats

In view of the continued screening of seaweeds of the Gulf of Mannar for biological activity Acanthophora spicifera, one of the most common species along the Mandapam coast was identified to study the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant effect in CCl₄ intoxicated male albino rats. Liver damage was induced in rats by injecting CCl₄. The effect of the seaweed extract (ethanolic) at different doses was determined by comparing with the controls. The algal extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w orally was found to exhibit a significant decrease in the level of SGOT, SGPT and LDH as compared to those of the CCl₄ induced liver damaged controls. The level of lipid peroxidation was also decreased in the 200 mg/kg extract treated rats. The antioxidant status of the extract treated rats showed tremendous increase in the levels of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The biological activity was related to the phyto-constituents such as flavonoids, vitamin – A, E, C, present in the algae.