title: Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Leucas aspera against D-galactosamine induced liver damage in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whole plant of Leucas aspera (LA) Willd. (Labiatae) is traditionally used in Siddha medicine for hepatic ailments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  LA was investigated for its hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and protective effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (MDMEs).
  
  
  METHODS
  LA aqueous extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity in d-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Biochemical and histopathological studies were performed to assess hepatoprotective activity. Hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time model was used to study the protective effect of LA on MDMEs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  D-GalN administration induced hepatotoxicity in rats which was manifested by increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin and oxidative stress. Pretreatment with LA extract significantly protected the liver in D-GalN administered rats. LA extract significantly elevated antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreased lipid peroxidation levels in liver. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in LA aqueous extract was found to be 28.33 ± 0.19 gallic acid equivalents mg/g of extract and 3.96 ± 0.57 rutin equivalent mg/g of extract, respectively. LA extract (200 and 400 mg/Kg) treatment with CCl₄ decreased the hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice by 56.67 and 71.30%, respectively, which indicated the protective effect of LA on hepatic MDMEs. Histological studies showed that LA at 400 mg/kg attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis in D-GalN intoxicated rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of LA in hepatic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banu
authors.forename: Balaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bhaskar
authors.forename: Premkumar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balasekar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005688:Galactosamine; D006591:Hexobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009336:Necrosis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin; D005688:Galactosamine; D006591:Hexobarbital