Nimesulide, a 4-nitro-2-phenoxy methanesulphonamide is a very effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), but at higher doses it leads to the undesirable side effects, such as hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Solanum nigrum in acute and chronic liver damage induced by Nimesulide. The degree of protection was measured by estimating the biochemical parameters like alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and total bilirubin (TB) level. The hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-ethanolic (30:70 %) extract at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight, p.o., was compared with Silymarine (25 mg/kg, p.o.) treated animals. In acute liver damage, aqueous ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Solanum nigrum extract (Sn.E) in dose of 200 and 300mg/kg, p.o. significantly (p<0.001) reduced the serum level of ALP, SGOT, SGPT and TB level. In the chronic liver damage, the higher doses (200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o) of Sn.E were found to be more effective than the lower dose (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Furthermore, histopathological examination on the rat liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the aqueous ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Solanum nigrum possesses excellent hepatoprotective activity.
