Year: 2013 | Month: November | Volume 6 | Issue 4s
Chemopreventive Potential of Methanolic Extract of Leucas aspera Against N-Nitrosodiethyl Amine (NDEA) Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Abstract: <div>N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), a chemical carcinogen present in many environmental factors. It induces oxidative stress and celluar injury due to enhanced generaion of reactive oxygen species. Free radical scavangers protect the membranes from NDEAinduced damage. Objectives:The present study was designed to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of methanolc extract of Leucas aspera (MELA) against NDEA induced liver toxicity in male wistar rats. Methods:NDEA was administered for 20 weeks.</div><div>Daily doses of (MELA) at doses 100 and 200mg and standard drug Silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg bodyweight were administered</div><div>one week before the onset of NDEA intoxication and continued for 20 weeks. Results:Rats intoxicated with NDEA had elevated levels of serum alpha-fetoprotin((AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), aspartate amino tranferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT), bilirubin, tissue lipid peroxides (TBARS & CD) and decreased levels of serum total protein, albumin & uric acid levels whereas MELA and Silymarin treatment showed decreased</div><div>levels of AFP, CEA, uric acid, hepatic marker enzymes, lipid peroxide levels, protein and albumin to near normal. Histopathological observation also substantiated NEDA-induced hepatoxicity and the effect was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by Leucas aspera extract and Silymarin treatment. Conclusions:The study reveals that (MELA) at a dose of 200mg/kg effectively reversed the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats. Histopathological studies also confirmed that MELA reduced tumor</div><div>incidence and reversed the damaged hepatocytes to near normal.</div>
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