Hepatoprotective and Inhibition of Oxidative Stress in Liver of Prostechea michuacana

Methanol, hexane and chloroform extracts of Prostecheamichuacana (EMM) were studied against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic injury in albino rats. Pre-treatment with methanolic extract reduced biochemical markers of hepatic injury like serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels demonstrated dose dependant reduction in the in vivo peroxidation induced by CCl4. Likewise, pretreatment with extracts from EMM on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved in this protection were also investigated in rats. The extracts of EMM at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg were admin istered. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum transaminase (GOT and GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and bilirubin. The methanol extract of orchid produced significant hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, and bilirubin. These results suggest that EMM could protect from paracetamol-induced lipid peroxidation eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from paracetamol. Hexane and chloroform extracts did not show any effect. This hepatoprotective activity was comparable with sylmarin. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the MEMC can be a potential source of natural hepatoprotective agent.