Abstract

Background: The use of medicinal plants in dealing diverse ailments is of remote antiquity. A large number of herbal medications are used as hepatoprotective agents. Berberislycium, a herbal plant has potential role in protection against hepatic damage.

Objectives: To study the hepatoprotective effects of Berberislycium in mice.

Methods: It was an experimental study, carried out at Peshawar Medical College Warsak Road Peshawar. Total 30 (thirty) mice were used, divided in six different groups with five mice in each group. After inducing hepatotoxicity with acetaminophen in the mice, blood samples were taken for LFTs, serum Alanine transferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values were recorded and the effects of different doses of the plant extract were evaluated.

Results: The Alanine Transferase ALT levels of negative control and experimental group were compared and it was seen that ALT levels in experimental groups were 232±42.3, 143±32.5 and 62.2±18.2whereasserum ALT value of negative control group was 571.4±123.3 which showed that ALT had been decreased by increasing the dose of plant extract. Alkaline Phosphate ALP levels of negative control and experimental groups were compared and it was seen that ALP levels of experimental groups were 262±77.8, 184.6±46.8 and 155±34.4. On the other hand ALP of negative control group was 518±41.2, which showed that by increasing the dose of Berberislycium ALP had been decreased.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Berberis Lycium, a herbal plant has a potentially active hepatoprotective role in bringing liver enzymes serum ALT and ALP to normal. This plant can be usefulin reversing the hepatotoxicity in drug induced elevation of both ALT and ALP.

Keywords: BerberisLycium, ALT, ALP