Hepatoprotective activity of Calotropis gigantea flowers against carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice.

Ethanol extract of Calotropis gigantea flowers (CGFE) was evaluated for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity to validate its use in traditional therapeutic indications. This CGFE exhibited significant antioxidant activity (at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µg/ml in vitro) as evidenced by its hydroxyl, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide anion radical scavenging activities. This in vitro antioxidant activity was reinforced by a significant hepatoprotection (at 250 and 500 mg/kg dose) by decreasing the activity of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase. The hepatoprotective activity of the CGFE was comparable with standard drug silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.).The results obtained from present study indicate the presence of natural antioxidants and hepatoprotective constituents. Hence, the above finding confirms in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of CGFE in mice.