Volume : 13, Issue : 03, March – 2026
Title:
EVALUATION OF THE SYNERGISTIC HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES AND MOMORDICA CHARANTIA FRUITS AGAINST CCL₄-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS
Authors :
Lakshmana G, Suresh Kumar JN, Manoj A, Lakshmi Bhavani G, Yugandhar Reddy K, Kavipriya Bai M, Raga Pravallika T*
Abstract :
Background: Liver diseases are a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with chronic liver disease accounting for over 1.03 million deaths annually. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity is a well-validated experimental model of oxidative hepatic injury. Conventional hepatoprotective therapies have limited efficacy and significant adverse effects, creating demand for safe, plant-based alternatives.
Objectives: To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLE) and Momordica charantia fruit (MCFE), individually and in combination, in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats.
Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). Hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl₄ (1 mL/kg i.p., twice weekly, 28 days). Test groups received MOLE (400 mg/kg), MCFE (250 mg/kg), or combination (MOLE 200 mg/kg + MCFE 125 mg/kg) orally once daily. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) served as the reference standard. Serum AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were estimated at study termination.
Results: CCl₄ significantly elevated serum AST (196.8±9.2 U/L), ALT (180.4±8.1 U/L), ALP (242.4±11.0 U/L), and total bilirubin (2.14±0.11 mg/dL) while reducing total protein (4.8±0.2 g/dL) and albumin (2.6±0.1 g/dL) vs. normal controls (p < 0.001). All treatment groups showed significant reversal (p < 0.05). The combination group reduced AST to 84.3±5.2 U/L and ALT to 76.5±4.8 U/L, statistically comparable to silymarin (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: MOLE and MCFE individually and synergistically demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity attributable to their complementary phytoconstituent profiles including flavonoids, isothiocyanates, charantin, and momordicin. The combination formulation warrants further mechanistic, toxicological, and clinical evaluation.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera; Momordica charantia; hepatoprotective; CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity; silymarin; oxidative stress; flavonoids; Wistar albino rats
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press T. Raga Pravallika et al., Evaluation Of The Synergistic Hepatoprotective Activity Of Ethanolic Extracts Of Moringa Oleifera Leaves And Momordica Charantia Fruits Against Ccl₄-Induced Hepatotoxicity In Wistar Albino Rats., Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(03).
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