BIOSCIENCES BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASIA, June 2012. Vol. 9(1), 309-314 * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Tel No: + 91 94432 81398. E-mail: deepabaskaran76@gmail.com, deepabaskaran76@src.sastra.edu Hepatoprotective and Curative Effect of Eclipta Prostrata On CCl 4 Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats B.Dheeba 1 , E. Vaishnavi 1 , P. Sampathkumar 1 and M. Kannan 2 1 Department of Biosciences, SRC, SASTRA University, Kumbakonam – 626 001, India. 2 Department of Microbiology, V.H.N.S.N. College, Virudhunagar – 626 001, India . (Received: 04 January 2012; accepted: 24 March 2012) The combined antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Eclipta prostrata was evaluated against carbon tetra chloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatic damage in wistar albino rats. Ethanolic extract from the Eclipta prostrata at a dose level of 200mg/kg of body weight was administered orally daily once for 15 days. The substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Acid phosphatase (ACP) and the antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were found due to CCl 4 treatment. The levels of above mentioned enzymes were brought to near normalcy after administration of plant extract. The biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin were also restored towards normal levels. In addition Eclipta prostrata significantly decrease the liver weight of CCl 4 intoxicated rats. Silymarin at a dose level of 25mg/kg was used as a standard reference drug for comparison.. The results of this study strongly indicate that Eclipta prostrata is having a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl 4 induced hepatic damage in rats. Key words : Hepatoprotective, Marker Enzymes, Eclipta prostrata , Carbon Tetra Chloride. for the treatment of liver disorder 5 . In view of severe undesirable side effects of synthetic agents, there is growing focus to follow systemic research methodology and to evaluate scientific basis for the traditional herbal medicines that are claimed to possess hepatoprotective activity. A single drug cannot be effective for all types of severe liver diseases 6 . Therefore an effective formulation has to be developed using medicinal plants, with proper pharmacological experiments and clinical trials. The ethanolic extract of Eclipta prostrata was subjected to various assays in order to evaluate their hepatoprotective effect against CCl 4 toxicity in albino rats. This plant have traditional claim against liver disorders and all of them are scientifically evaluated for their potency individually 7 . The plant E.prostrata is available for the treatment of various liver disorders 8 . The Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the Eclipta Liver, is a vital organ, it has a wide range of functions, such as detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion 1 . Hepatic damage is associated with some metabolic function 2 . Liver disease is still a worldwide health problem 3 Treatment option may vary depending on the causes of liver disease unfortunately, conventional or synthetic drugs used in the treatment of liver diseases, and sometimes can have serious side effect 4 . In modern medicine there are number of medicinal preparations in Ayurveda recommended