Effect of pretreatment of Cassia fistula Linn. leaf extract against subacute CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in rats

CCl₄ alone treatment (0.1ml of liquid paraffin/100g body weight, ip) for 7 days followed by 0.1ml of CCl₄ (in liquid parafiin/100g body weight, ip) from day 8 till day 14, caused a 16 fold increase in lipid peroxidation and a 50% reduction in catalase and glutathione reductase in liver tissue of rats accompanied by an increase in the activities of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ - glutarnyl transpeptidase in serum as compared to liquid paraffin treated control. Pretreatment of ethanolic leaf extract of C. fistula (500mg/kg body weight/day for 7 days) followed by CCl₄ treatment (0.1ml/100g body weight from day 8 till day 14) completely reversed back lipid peroxidation and the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase in the liver tissue towards normalcy. This treatment also reversed the elevated levels of the enzymes in the serum. Ethanolic leaf extract alone treatment did not produce any change in all the parameters studied. The results suggest antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of C. fistula during its pretreatment against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity.