In the present study, we have chosen a plant named Luffa cylindrica Linn (cucurbitaceae) to evaluate for its hepatoprotective activity in experimental animals. Different pharmacological activities are reported with different parts of this plant. Some of its medicinal properties reported as an anthelmintic, stomachic and antipyretic, Extract of the fruits showed antioxidant activity, iron deficiency, anaemia, expulsion of worms and abnormal stoppage of menses. From the literature we found that L. cylindrica Linn has also been traditionally indicated for treatment of hepatic disorders. This prompet us to select fruit extracts of this plant for the study of hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animals. Phytochemical Chemical screening of L. cylindrica revealed the presence of Saponins, carbohydrate, Flavonoids. The present study was made to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of fruits of Luffa cylindrica in paracetamol induced hepatic injury in experimental animal rats. Hepatoprotective activity of L. cylindrica was studied by estimating the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct and total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins and albumin. The treatment with AEFLC and AQEFLC showed significant reduction of paracetamol induced elevated serum enzyme levels and increase in total protein and albumin. Histopathology of liver shows hepatoprotective effect of these extracts.
