Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is widely reported to induce cancer in animals and humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the fruit extract of Coccinia grandis Linn. against diethylnitrosamine induced liver injury in rats. An elevated level of the liver enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and ADH was observed. Liver oxidative stress was confirmed by the elevation of lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), and a decrease in enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant activities. Oral administration of the methanolic fruit extract of Coccinia grandis for 30 days to DEN treated rats significantly improved the antioxidant levels, reduced the oxidative stress and a reversal of liver parameters. The results obtained with when treated both 100 mg and 200 mg/kg bw with C. grandis fruit extract were comparable to the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin.
