title: Evaluation of the efficacy of Melothria maderaspatana in the alleviation of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver dysfunction.
abstract: An investigation was carried out to evaluate the ability of Melothria maderaspatana to protect the livers of albino rats from carbon tetrachloride-mediated alterations in liver histopathology and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Treatment with an aqueous extract of Melothria aerial parts (either before or after CCl4 administration) markedly decreased CCl4-mediated alterations in liver histopathology as well as serum enzyme levels. Results provide supportive evidence for the folklore view that this plant is a good hepatotonic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Thabrew
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jayatilaka
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Perera
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase