European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): V. K. Meenakshi, S. Gomathy, S. Senthamarai, M. Paripooranaselvi and K. P. Chamundeswari
The present study aims at analysing the hepatoprotective activity of the marine simple ascidian Microcosmus
exasperatus. The animals were randomly divided into six groups of five individuals. Group I served as normal and
Group II as hepatic toxicity induced control. Both were given normal saline. Group III, IV, V and VI were treated
with Carbon tetrachloride to induce hepatic toxicity and were administered with 50, 100, 150 mg/kg of the ethanol
extract of Microcosmus exasperatus and the standard drug silymarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight
respectively for 14 days. Initial, final body weight, protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, Serum Glutamate Pyruvate
Transaminase (SGPT), Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), total,
conjugated, unconjugated bilirubin, GGT and Lipid Peroxide (LPO), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Glutathione
Reductase, Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Reduced Glutathione (GSH) activities in serum were
estimated. The results revealed a dose dependent hepatoprotective effect with 150 mg/kg body weight possessing
significant activity without any toxic effect on liver and kidney. The extract treated groups were compared with that
of hepatic control and standard drug.
