ABSTRACT:
Background: Aruvadha Churnam, a Siddha formulation is commonly employed in Siddha system of medicine in management of hepatic ailments. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-hepatotoxic potential of Aruvadha Churnam against Paracetamol induced liver damage in Wistar Albino rats. Materials and Methods: Aruvadha Churnam at 360, 1800, and 2400 mg/kg/day, p.o. doses were administered orally to rats for 8 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) was used as a reference drug in the study. Single dose of Paracetamol (3 g/kg, p.o.) was administered on the 8th day after treatment. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after the administration of Paracetamol, and serumlevels of liver markers (SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Bilirubin), Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Creatinine, Total Protein and Albumin were measured. Livers were excised from animals for histopathological studies. Results: Pretreatment with different dosages of Aruvadha Churnamlowered the levels of the serum parameters when compared to the hepatotoxic control group, which indicates the regeneration of damaged hepatocytes and restoration of its normal functions. The formulation was found to be effective at 1800mg/kg bw (Intermediate dose)whereas 2400mg/kg bw (High dose) showed a ceiling effect. The biochemical observations were paralleled by histopathological findings in rat liver both in the case of paracetamol and treatment groups. Conclusion: The current investigation supports the claim that this traditional siddha formulation is used in the treatment of liver ailments and also provides scientific evidence for its protective effects against Paracetamol induced hepatic damage.