Antihepatotoxic acticity of coccinia indica
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Antihepatotoxic acticity of coccinia indica
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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V. Gopalakrishnan, K.N.V. Rao, M. Devi, N. Padmaha, P. Manju Lakshmi, T. Srividya, G. Vadivukarasi
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Antihepatotoxic acticity of coccinia indica
Year: 2001
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study investigates the antihepatotoxic activity of various extracts from the leaves of Coccinia indica, a plant recognized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties related to liver disorders. The research was motivated by the need for effective herbal treatments in the absence of modern medicinal alternatives for liver damage. The study involved assessing the effects of aqueous, light petroleum, chloroform, alcohol, benzene, and acetone extracts on albino rats subjected to liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
Efficacy of Alcoholic Extract
Among the extracts tested, the alcoholic extract of Coccinia indica demonstrated significant antihepatotoxic activity, leading to notable reductions in liver enzyme levels (SGPT and SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP), and serum bilirubin levels. These parameters are indicators of liver health, and their elevation following CCl4 administration suggests acute liver damage. The study found that the alcoholic extract reduced SGPT from 210 to 136.2 KU, SGOT from 210 to 158.3 KU, and SALP from 212.6 to 149.2 KA, alongside a decrease in liver weight and pentobarbitone sleep time, which was also indicative of improved liver function. Light petroleum extract showed some efficacy, but the other solvents did not yield significant results.
Conclusion
The findings from this research highlight the potential of Coccinia indica, particularly its alcoholic extract, as a therapeutic agent in treating liver toxicity. Given the promising results demonstrated in the experimental model, further investigations are warranted to isolate and elucidate the specific compounds responsible for this hepatoprotective activity. The study underscores the relevance of traditional medicinal plants in developing new treatments for liver-related ailments, contributing to the search for effective remedies in contemporary medicine.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the purpose of the study on Coccinia indica?
The study aimed to investigate the antihepatotoxic activity of Coccinia indica extracts against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in albino rats.
What extracts were tested for antihepatotoxic activity?
The study tested aqueous, light petroleum, chloroform, alcohol, benzene, and acetone extracts of Coccinia indica leaves for their potential protective effects on liver function.
How was liver damage induced in the study?
Liver damage was induced in rats through the oral administration of 25% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in liquid paraffin over five days.
Which extract showed the most significant antihepatotoxic effects?
The alcoholic extract of Coccinia indica exhibited the most significant antihepatotoxic effects, reducing elevated serum transaminases and improving liver function parameters in the treated rats.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antihepatotoxic acticity of coccinia indica”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
In the context of this study, 'Activity' refers to the biological effects and therapeutic potential of the extracts from Coccinia indica. The focus is on antihepatotoxic activity, which indicates how effective the plant extracts are in preventing or alleviating liver damage caused by toxic agents like carbon tetrachloride. Evaluating the activity is crucial for assessing herbal medicines in pharmacology.
2) Medicine:
The term 'Medicine' represents the field that encompasses the study, development, and application of drugs and therapies for healing and health maintenance. In this study, the relevance lies in exploring herbal medicine's potential through traditional plants, showcasing the integration of ancient practices with modern scientific research for treating liver disorders.
3) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
In this research, 'Accumulation' describes the increase of substances, particularly fats or toxins, in the liver due to damage caused by carbon tetrachloride. The implications are significant; excessive accumulation can lead to liver dysfunction. Understanding accumulation within the liver informs therapeutic approaches and the effectiveness of herbal treatments to reduce liver damage.
4) Discussion:
'Discussion' refers to the section of scientific papers where researchers interpret their findings, relate them to existing knowledge, and propose hypotheses. In this study, the discussion is vital as it helps elucidate how the results provide insight into the mechanisms of Coccinia indica's hepatoprotective properties and its potential application in liver treatments.
5) Vomiting:
'Vomiting' is a symptom often associated with hepatic issues and represents one of the traditional uses of Coccinia indica in treating ailments. In this study, it underlines the relevance of the plant in managing symptoms related to liver toxins and disorders, reinforcing its importance in traditional medicine and its researched efficacy.
6) Debility:
'Debility' implies weakness or a lack of strength, often associated with liver health. In the context of this study, it emphasizes the importance of addressing liver disorders, which can lead to systemic debility. This highlights the need for effective treatments like Coccinia indica, which may help restore strength and health.
7) Lakshmi (Lakṣmī):
'Lakshmi' refers to one of the researchers involved in this study, which emphasizes the collaborative nature of scientific research. Collaboration is key in understanding complex biological systems and sharing expertise, together contributing insights into the medicinal properties of plants like Coccinia indica in combating liver damage effectively.
8) Science (Scientific):
'Science' signifies the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. In this study, it underscores the integration of scientific methodology in examining the efficacy of Coccinia indica. By applying scientific principles, researchers aim to validate traditional medicinal practices through rigorous investigation of the plant's health benefits.
9) Water:
'Water' is a crucial solvent used in the extraction process of plant compounds. In this study, the significance of water lies in its ability to dissolve essential phytochemicals from Coccinia indica. Understanding the solvent's role helps in assessing the bioavailability and effectiveness of the extracted compounds for therapeutic applications.
10) Blood:
'Blood' in this context refers to the medium for assessing liver function through serum markers. Evaluating parameters like SGPT, SGOT, and bilirubin in the blood allows researchers to determine the extent of liver damage and the efficacy of the extracts, establishing a critical link between herbal medicine and liver health.
11) Devi (Devī):
'Devi' represents one of the researchers involved in this study, highlighting individual contributions to collaborative research. It signifies the importance of diverse expertise in understanding the complex interactions of plant extracts with biological systems, thus enhancing the study’s credibility and its overall findings on hepatoprotective activity.
12) Drug:
The term 'Drug' pertains to any substance used specifically for medical purposes, including herbal medicines like Coccinia indica. In this study, the focus on antihepatotoxic activity emphasizes the potential of herbal extracts as viable drug candidates, aiming toward the development of safe, effective treatments for liver-related ailments.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antihepatotoxic acticity of coccinia indica’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Traditional medicine, Effective treatment, Significant reduction, Herbarium specimen, Carbon tetrachloride, Aqueous extract, Liver Function, Chloroform extract, Serum bilirubin, Serum transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, Soxhlet Apparatus, Herbal drug, Coccinia indica, Ancient Science of life, Structural elucidation, Experimental plant material, Antihepatotoxic activity, Serum level, Alcohol extract, Albino rat, Liver Disorder, Indigenous practice.