Volume : 13, Issue : 09, September – 2026
Title:
PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF STANDARDIZED EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA ON DICLOFENAC-INDUCED HEPATOCELLULAR DEATH IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS
Authors :
Ms. Harshada Anil Thorat*, Dr. Kamble H. V., Mr. Ghodake S. R., Dr. Kandhare A.D., Ms. Priti Navnath Divekar, Ms. Sonali Dada Sargar
Abstract :
Background: Diclofenac is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that may produce hepatic injury associated with oxidative stress, altered hepatic biochemical function, and apoptotic changes. The present study investigated the protective activity of a standardized extract of Azadirachta indica against diclofenac-induced hepatocellular injury in experimental rats.
Methods: Animals were randomly divided into six groups of six rats each. Diclofenac-induced hepatic injury was produced by administration of diclofenac (50 mg/kg, i.p.) on the 14th and 15th days. The standardized A. indica extract was administered orally at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 15 days. Silymarin was used as the reference treatment. Body weight, liver weight, serum AST, ALT, ALP, albumin, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were evaluated. Hepatic tissue was assessed for total protein, SOD, GSH, MDA, NO, and caspase-3 levels. Histopathological examination of liver sections was also performed.
Results: Diclofenac administration produced significant hepatic alterations, including increased liver weight, elevated AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, MDA, NO, and caspase-3 levels, together with reduced body weight, albumin, SOD, and GSH levels. Treatment with A. indica significantly attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner. The 400 mg/kg dose produced the most pronounced improvement in biochemical and oxidative stress parameters and markedly reduced histopathological abnormalities, including necrosis, congestion, inflammatory-cell infiltration, vesicular fat, and pyknosis.
Conclusion: The standardized A. indica extract demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity against diclofenac-induced hepatic injury. Its protective effect was associated with improvement of hepatic biochemical function, restoration of antioxidant defense, reduction of oxidative/nitrosative stress, attenuation of caspase-3 levels, and preservation of liver architecture.
Keywords: Azadirachta indica; diclofenac; hepatoprotection; hepatocellular injury; oxidative stress; antioxidant defense; caspase-3; liver injury; SOD; GSH.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Harsha Anil T et al., Pharmacological Evaluation Of Standardized Extract Of Azadirachta Indica On Diclofenac-Induced Hepatocellular Death In Experimental Rats.,. Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(09).
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