Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Leea asiatica leaves against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Leea asiatica (L.) Ridsdale, a folk medicinal plant is used by the ethnic people of North East India for the treatment of hepatic disorder. In this study, we have investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of L. asiatica leaves against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity. Methanol extract of L. asiatica (150 and 300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) were administered to rats for three consecutive days followed by single acetaminophen (3000 mg/kg, p.o.) administration on $3^{rd}$ day. After 48 h of acetaminophen administration animals were sacrificed and biochemical estimation of serum, in vivo antioxidant activity using liver tissue were carried out. High levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in disease control group, which found near to normal in extract treated groups. Higher dose exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen induced toxicity. Level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase in liver tissue, and reduced glutathione in liver and blood were also significantly increased in extract (300 mg/kg) treated animals compare to disease control group. In this study we found that leaves of L. asiatica exhibited potent hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen induced hepatic damage in experimental animals which justify the folklore claim, and the possible mechanism of this activity may be due to strong antioxidant activities of extract.