CAESALPINIA DECAPETALA

Members of genus Caesalpinia are found world widely in tropical and temperate areas. Caesalpinia species have variouspharmacological actions that include antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antirheumatic. Objectives:To assess the Hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Caesalpinia decapetala. Duration of study: September 2012 to November2012. Setting: Pharmacology and Pathology departments of Independent medical college and animal House of university of agriculture,Faisalabad. Study design: Experimental study. Materials and Methods: Hepatoprotective activity was determined by measuring the livermarker enzymes like Bilirubin, AST, ALT and ALK levels and then hepatic biopsy to see any structural changes. Phytochemical analysis ofplant extract indicates that it contains polyphenols and flavonoids that possess antioxidant potential and hence possess Hepatoprotectiveactivity. Results: Liver enzyme levels were significantly raised in rabbits receiving paracetamol and the enzyme levels were significantlyreduced in rabbits who were receiving Caesalpinia Decapetala and paracetamol comparable to silymarin and Paracetamol. Resultsobservation was done in concentration and dose dependent manner. Histopathological studies indicated centrizonal and focal necrosisand ballooning in liver of rabbits treated with paracetamol. It showed only mild steatosis with sinusoidal dilatation and binucleate cells ingroups receiving Caesalpinia decapetala. Conclusions: It is concluded that Caesalpinia decapetala possesses significantHepatoprotective activity.