Studies on the hepatoprotective properties of seed coat extract of Cicer arietinum species

Abstract

The present study was done to evaluate the hepatoprotective properties of the seed coat of cicer arietinum or Bengal gram in carbon tetra chloride (CC1₄) produced liver toxicity in rats. Depending up on the ethano-medico exploration, Cicer arietinum species (Desi and kabuli type) were selected and screened for their hapatoprotective activity. The extractions were done using n-hexane, ethanol and water. Hexane and water extracts were not active. Ethanol extract showed hepatoprotective activity. The ethanol extract showed maximum activity than n-hexane and water extract with a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. The liver protection effect of this extract was compared with a standard reference herbal drug silymarin (100mg/kg). The efficacy of this extract was comparable with the standard drug. Thus, the present work reveals that the ethanolic extract of cicer arietinum seed coat (Desi) type is promising for its hepatoprotective property. Therefore further studies can lead to an invention of a hepatoprotective drug.