In vivo Hepato-protective Properties of Purslane Extracts on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage.

This investigation is designed to evaluate the potential hepato-protective effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of air-dried leaves of Purslane against paracetamol-induced hepato-toxicity, in an attempt to understand its mechanism of action, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic application. Paracetamol (1g/kg bw) administration to rats resulted in massive elevation in serum and hepatic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as well as in serum tumor necrosis factor-alph (TNF-α) levels, with a significant decrease in serum and hepatic protein thiols (Pr-SHs) and reduced glutathione (GSH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood and liver. Oral administration of both the leaves extracts at a concentration of 150 mg/kg bw daily for 15 days showed significant protection against an induced increase in serum and hepatic LDH and TBARS as well as serum tumor necrosis factor-alph (TNF-α) levels. The treatment also resulted in a significant increase in serum and hepatic Pr-SHs as well as GSH, SOD and GPx in blood and liver. The results of the present study suggest that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Purslane leaves can generate antioxidants.The effect was more pronounced in ethanolic extract compared to aqueous extract.