Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: Curative role of Solanum nigrum

Solanum nigrum is used in hepatic disorders in folk medicines. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of S. nigrum on the liver functions in CCl4 induced injuries. Enzymatic activities that are .AST, ALT and ALP, microscopic appearance of liver was used as parameter and hepatocurative studies were performed. In case of hepatocurative study that is post treatment of rats with aqueous extracts of plant (500mg/ orally, two doses with 24 h interval) prevented (p < 0.001) CCl4 induced rise in activity of serum Transaminases (ALT and AST) and ALP and alcoholic extract did not prevent the rise of same enzymes compared to the sham control group in which liver was damaged by CCl4 no treatment given. Histological examination of the liver of treated animals with aqueous extract of plant showed that fatty acids change was less in comparison to the sham control group. In treated group reduction in body weight was minimal and live enlargement was also less compared to the animals in sham control group. Treatment with aqueous extract of S. nigrum effectively attenuated the alteration within the parameter of present study and accredits the hepatocurative role of S. nigrum.   Key words: Solanum nigrum, hepatocurative, AST, ALT, ALP, histopathology, CCl4induced hepatotoxicity, aqueous extract.