| Acceptance rate | 46% |
|---|---|
| Time to first decision | 6 months* |
| Time to decision with review | 50 days* |
*Approximate number of days
**The days mentioned above are averages and do not indicate exact durations. The process may vary for each article.
ACTA Pharmaceutica Sciencia
2005 , Vol 47 , Num 1
HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF NELUMBO NUCIFERA GEARTN. FLOWER: AN ETHNOPHARMACOIOGICAL STUDY
Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology Division, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-Uttarpradesh,India
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Nelumbo nucifera Geartn. (Nymphaeaceae), a medicinal plant mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of liver disorders, has not been subjected to systematic scientific investigations to assess its hepatoprotective effects. The present study was therefore, undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of this plant. 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of flowers of Nelumbo nucifera Geartn. (Nymphaeaceae) showed a significant dose dependent (200 mg, 400 mg/kg p.o. x 10) protective effect against carbon tetrachloride and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats. The degree of protection was measured using biochemical parameters like serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) and serum bilirubin (SB). Liver sections were also studied histopathologically to confirm the biochemical results. The results indicated that the 400mg/kg p.o. of 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of flowers of Nelumbo nucifera Geartn. exhibited the most significant (P<0.01) activity on both carbontetrachloride and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.The pathological changes of hepatic lesions caused by these two hepatotoxicants were improved by treatment with 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of N. nucifera Geartn., which are comparable to silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective medicine. Thus the present study provides a scientific support for the traditional use of this plant in the management of liver diseases.
Keywords :
NELUMBO NUCIFERA, CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, PARACETAMOL, HEPATOPROTECTION