• THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF PHARMACOGNOSTICALLY AUTHENTICATED FERONIA ELEPHANTUM CORREA. STEM BARK AND ROOT

Abstract

Feronia elephantum Correa. (Rutaceae) is a popular medicinal plant in various Indian systems of medicine and its stem bark and root were used as anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-bacterial, antifungal agents and in the treatment of liver diseases. In view of its medicinal importance and taxonomic confusion the pharmacognostic studies were carried out while it includes the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of F. elephantum stem bark (ASFE & ESFE) and root (ARFE & ERFE) were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. The pharmacognostic studies provided referential information for identification of this crude drug. The results of hepatoprotective study strongly indicate that F. elephantum have potent hepatoprotective action against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats. The biochemical and histological evidences show that the pretreatment with aqueous and ethanol extracts of F. elephantum stem bark and root effectively protected rats against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. It provides a support for the traditional use of Feronia elephantum in liver disorders.