Hepatoprotective activity of a polyherbal preparation against D-galactosamine induced hepatoxicity in rats

Traditional system of medicine recommends use of various plants ant its formulations to treat hepatic disorder. In the present study a poly herbal preparation containing methanolic extracts of dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa and dried leaves of Occimum sanctum, Murraya koenigii, and Nyctanthes arbrotristis was developed and explored for its hepatoprotective activity against d-galactosmine induced hepatotoxicity. Polyherbal preparation was administered at doses of 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg p.o. Preparation at dose level of 250mg/kg offered significant hepatoprotective action by reducing serum marker enzymes like ALT, ASP and ALP, total and direct bilirubin. Histopathological studies further confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of the preparation in comparison to d-galactosamine treated groups. The results obtained were compared with sylimarin (100mg/kg p.o.) as the standard drug.