| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> (family cucurbitaceae) is used to treat malarial fever and liver disorders. This study aims to investigate possible hepatoprotective activities of ethanolic extract of <it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar male rats by oral administration, 2 g/kg body weight on 7th day after the administration of ethanolic extract of <it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> and silymarin (100 mg/kg). Ethanolic extract of <it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days. Several serum markers, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, total protein was measured to assess the effect of the extract on paracetamol (acetaminophen)-induced hepatic damage. The study included histopathological examination of liver sections.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Blood samples from rats treated with ethanolic extract of <it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> (200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight) had significant reductions in serum markers in paracetamol administered animals, indicating the effect of the extract in restoring the normal functional ability of hepatocytes. Silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a reference drug.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ethanolic extract of <it>Trichosanthes lobata</it> exhibits protective effects against paracetamol‒induced hepatotoxicity.</p>
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