Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 1(4), December 2010, pp. 493-499 Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Azima tetracantha Lam. leaves extracts against CCl 4 - induced liver injury in rats Maruthi T Ekbote 1 , C K Ramesh 2 *, Riaz Mahmood 3 , B S Thippeswamy 4 and Veeresh Verapur 4 1 Department of Pharmacognosy, S.J.M. College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga-577 502, Karnataka, India 2 P.G. Department of Biotechnology, Sahyadri Science College, Shimoga-577 203, Karnataka 3 P.G. Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Kuvempu University, Shankarghatta, Shimoga-577 451 4 Department of Pharmacology and Chemistry, Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur-572102, Karnataka Received 11 January 2010; Accepted 15 April 2010 The chloroform and ethanolic extracts of Azima tetracantha Lam. leaves were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of the extracts at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg once daily for 12 days significantly restored normalization of serum enzyme levels, viz. glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and markers viz. total protein, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and albumin and the results were comparable to the effects of Silymarin. The ethanolic extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg was found to be more potent when compared to chloroform extract at similar dose. The hepatoprotection is also corroborated by histopathology of treated animals. In regard to antioxidant activity, ethanolic extract exhibited a significant effect showing increased levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters, viz. catalase, GSH, total thiols, and decreased level of malondialdhyde (MDA). The results of this study strongly indicate that A. tetracantha leaves have potent hepatoprotective action against CCl 4 -induced hepatic damage in rats. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins, etc. Keywords: Azima tetracantha, Antioxidant, Carbon tetrachloride, Hepatoprotection. IPC code; Int. cl. 8  A61K 36/00, A61P 1/16. A61P 39/06 Introduction The liver is a vital organ of the body and plays a major role in metabolism, performing a number of functions including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production and detoxification. The liver is necessary for survival; there is currently no way to compensate for the absence of liver function. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion, via emulsification of lipids 1 . The various functions of the liver are carried out by the liver cells, the hepatocytes. Uncontrolled environmental pollution, poor sanitary conditions, xenobiotics, alcohol intoxications and the indiscriminate use of drugs predispose the liver to a vast array of disorders. However, infection by virus still remains as the major cause of liver disease. Global estimates indicate that there are about 18,000 deaths every year due to liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis 2 . Inspite of tremendous advances made in allopathic medicine, effective hepatoprotective medicine is still wanting. About 80% of world population relies on folklore medicine for curing ailments related to liver. However, only a small number of these medicinal plants as well as formulations used are scientifically evaluated for their activity. In the context of our ongoing search for new natural substances possessing hepatoprotective efficacy, the present investigation was undertaken by utilizing the plant Azima tetracantha Lam. of Salvadoraceae family. The plant is known as Uppimullu in Kannada and Kundali in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a spiny scrambling shrub. Spines are often in whorls of 4; branches 4-angled, leaves are elliptic to oblong, leathery, sharp-tipped at the apex (Plate 1). This plant is reportedly used as antidiarrhoeal, astringent and to relieve cough and given to cattle in rinder pest 3,4 . The root bark is used in muscular rheumatism 5 while the leaf juice is used in tooth and earache 6 . Pharmacological investigations revealed antiulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antimicrobial activities 7-12 . There are few reports on phytochemical composition like presence of dimeric piperdine alkaloids azimine, azcarpaine, carpaine, —————— *Correspondent author: E-mail: ckrameshck@gmail.com