Hepatoprotective Activity ofElephantopus scaberon Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage in Mice
Elephantopus scaberhas been traditionally used as liver tonic. However, the protective effect ofE. scaberon ethanol-induced liver damage is still unclear. In this study, we have compared thein vivohepatoprotective effect ofE. scaberwithPhyllanthus nirurion the ethanol-induced liver damage in mice. The total phenolic and total flavanoid content ofE. scaberethanol extract were determined in this study. Accelerating serum biochemical profiles (including AST, ALT, ALP, triglyceride, and total bilirubin) associated with fat drop and necrotic body in the liver section were observed in the mice treated with ethanol. Low concentration ofE. scaberwas able to reduce serum biochemical profiles and the fat accumulation in the liver. Furthermore, high concentration ofE. scaberand positive controlP. niruriwere able to revert the liver damage, which is comparable to the normal control. Added to this,E. scaberdid not possess any oral acute toxicity on mice. These results suggest the potential effect of this extract as a hepatoprotective agent towards-ethanol induced liver damage without any oral acute toxicity effect. These activities might be contributed, or at least in part, by its high total phenolic and flavonoid contents.