INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOASSAYS ISSN: 2278-778X CODEN: IJBNHY ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS *Corresponding Author: Prof. Z. A. Bhat, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar-190011, Jammu and Kashmir, India. 4689 Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of Eremurus himalaicus Baker. Sumaira Amin and Z. A. Bhat* Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar-190011, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Received for publication: September 29, 2015; Revised: October 11, 2015; Accepted: October 22, 2015 INTRODUCTION Liver is the main metabolic site of the body where the biotransformation of xenobiotic takes place. Being the major drug-metabolizing and drug detoxifying organ in the body, liver is exposed to high concentrations of toxicants and toxic metabolites making it susceptible to injury (Sheila et al., 1993; Lal et al., 2007). Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic antipyretic which produces acute liver damage in high doses. At therapeutic doses, paracetamol is safely bio transformed and eliminated as non-toxic conjugates of sulfate and glucuronic acid, and a small portion is converted to NAPQI (N-acetyl-p- benzoquinone imine) which is detoxified by glutathione (GSH) and eventually eliminated in the urine or bile (Sabina EvanPrince, 2013). However, during overdose of paracetamol, the glucuronidation and sulfation routes become saturated and the NAPQI thus formed binds covalently to liver proteins leading to the lipid peroxidative degradation of glutathione which ultimately results in the necrosis of hepatocytes characterized by pyknosis, and eosinophillic cytoplasm followed by large hepatic lesion.(Sing Robin et al., 2012) Hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen results in prominent elevations of biochemical marker markers like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Raju N Jaya et al., 2010). E. himalaicus (Himalayan desert candle) is native of temperate Himalayas, grows from Afghanistan to Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 2100-3300m (Wendelbo and Furse, 1969). E. himalaicusis of great horticultural potential and its young leaves are used as vegetable (Shilaji, 2011). Besides this, E. himalaicus is used in anaemia, as a digestive and galactogogue and also possesses antibacterial property. An herbal formulation with E. himalaicus Baker has been used in the treatment of migraine with insomnia. (Tramboo Ahlam, 2013). MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material and preparation of extract The plant material was collected from Harwan area of district Srinagar, J&K, India, identified and authenticated by Prof. A. R. Naqshi, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir. Specimen voucher number is KUAA12. After collection and authentication, aerial parts of the plant were air dried and powdered. The extracts were prepared by cold percolation method using methanol and water as solvent. The extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and controlled temperature (40-50ºC) The extract was then kept in desiccator to remove remaining moisture, if present, and finally stored in air tight containers at 4 0 C for further use. Procurement of animals Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 25-30g were used for the study. The albino mice were obtained from animal house of Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine - Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. This Institution is approved by CPCSEA, Government of India, (Approval No.801/03/ca/CPCSEA), for carrying out animal studies and the protocol for the present study was approved by Institutional Animal Ethical Committee [Approval no. F- IAEC (Pharm. Sc.) Approval/2013/07)]. The animals were housed in polypropylene cages and maintained under standard environmental conditions: 25±2 o C, 12:12 h light: dark cycle and 45-55% humidity, with free access to food and water ad libitum. All experiments were carried out during the life period (8.00-18.00 h). Acute oral toxicity study The acute toxicity study was performed as per Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines no 425. Swiss Albino mice were used for this study. Since the plant is locally used as vegetable, only limit test was performed as per the guidelines. Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity Mice were divided into five groups; Group Ӏ: 0.5% carbomethoxy cellulose (CMC) (control group). Group ӀӀ: 1gm/kg paracetamol (toxic group). Group ӀӀӀ: 50mg/kg silymarinin in addition to paracetamol (standard group). Group ӀV: Methanolic extract of aerial parts of E. himalaicus (200mg/kg, in 0.5% CMC) in addition to paracetamol. Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic and aqueous extract of Eremurus himalaicus against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Activity was measured by monitoring the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. Silymarin was used as positive control. The results of the paracetamol-induced liver toxicity experiments showed that mice treated with methanolic and aqueous extract of E. himalaicus (200 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in the activity of ALT, AST and ALP and the level of bilirubin, which were all elevated in the paracetamol treated group. The current study confirmed the hepatoprotective effects of methanolic and aqueous extract of E. himalaicus against the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Key words: Paracetamol; hepatoprotective; Eremurus himalaicus.