Evaluation of the protective efficacy of Asteracantha longifolia on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats.

The effect of oral administration of methanolic extract of Asteracantha longifolia (AL) seeds on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver damage in rats was investigated. The activities of marker enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase) and bilirubin level in serum and the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in both serum and liver were found to be increased when rats were challenged with APAP. This was also associated with a significant reduction of serum and tissue phospholipids. Pretreatment with AL extract prior to the administration of APAP prevented these alterations as evidenced by liver histopathology. Results indicated that the extract could offer protection against APAP-induced liver damage, suggesting its hepatoprotective activity.