Four plant extracts: Ecbalium elaterium, Convolvulus pilosellifolius, Cyperus bulbosus and Echinacea angustifolia were selected for studying their hepatoprotective effects against induced liver toxicity by CCl4 in rats. The extent of liver protection is reflected by measuring the biochemical parameters: serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin that indicate the condition of liver cells. Extracts that showed good reduction in the biomarker levels were further subjected for histopathological study to explore the extent of protection of hapatocytes. Only the extract of Ecbalium elaterium was effective in reducing the elevated enzyme levels at the 500 mg/kg dose. However, in the histopathological study the extract failed to restore the normal appearance of hepatocytes. All the results were compared with silymarin, as a reference hepatoprotective drug.
Keywords: Ecbalium elaterium, Convolvulus pilosellifolius, Cyperus bulbosus, Echinacea angustifolia, Carbon tetrachloride, Hepatoprotection, Silymarin, rats.