Hepatoprotective activity of Piper longum on Carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract

Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae) (fruits and roots powder) is given with boiled milk in the Indian traditional system of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments and jaundice. However, the biochemical basis and mechanism of hepatoprotective action of Piper longum milk extract is not scientifically studied. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Piper longum milk extract. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used as a hepatotoxin at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg p.o. with olive oil (1:1) thrice a week for 21 days to produce the chronic reversible type of liver necrosis. Following treatment with Piper longum milk extract (200 mg/day p.o. for 21 days), a significant hepatoprotective effect was observed in CCl4 induced hepatic damage as evident from decreased level of serum enzymes, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. The hepatoprotective effect of Piper longum is comparable to the standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg/day p.o. for 21 days).