Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Terminalia Chebula fruit against ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Terminalia chebula fruit extract on liver antioxidant enzymes in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Method: Rats were divided into six different groups each having six. Group 1 served as a control, Group 2 received 40% ethanol (2 ml/100 g, oral), in sterile water, Groups 4, 5, and 6 served as extract treatment groups and received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, orally, ethanolic fruit extract of T. chebula (TCE) and Group 3 served as standard group and received silymarin 25 mg/kg orally. All the treatment protocols followed 21 days, and after which rats were sacrificed, the liver was taken for antioxidant and histological studies, respectively. Results: The ethanol-treated group rats (G2) showed variable decrease in antioxidant parameter (catalase, glutathione, and glutathione reductase) levels. Administration of ethanolic TCE significantly prevented ethanol-induced elevation in the levels of malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant parameters in experimental groups of rats. The effect of extract was compared with a standard drug, silymarin. The changes in antioxidant parameters were supported by histological profile. Conclusion: It is concluded that the ethanolic fruit TCE protects against ethanol-induced oxidative liver injury in rats.