Effects of Alternanthera sessilis on Liver Function in Carbon Tetra Chloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wister Rat Model.

Alternanthera sessilis commonly known as 'sessile joy weed' or 'dwarf copperleaf' is found throughout the hotter parts of India up to an altitude of 1200 m2. In Assam, the plant has been traditionally used in the treatment of jaundice along with other ailments. The study focuses primarily on the evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of the plant with special references to its putative protective role in carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury on Wister albino rat. The in vivo hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight was highly effective in controlling SGPT, SGOT, ALP, serum cholesterol and serum bilirubin level as compared to silymarin. The said extract also significantly lowered the lipid profile caused by CCl4. The activity shown by methanolic extract of the whole plant of A. sessilis is of considered importance and thus justified its use in controlling hepatic diseases in traditional treatment system.