Hepatoprotective Potential of Hylocereus Polyrhizus (Dragon Fruit) on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatic Damages in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate and determine the pre and  post effect of Hylocereus polyrhizus on carbon tetrachloride (CCl?) induced  hepatic damages in albino wistar rats. This study applied the maceration method to produce ethanolic extract.  Approximately one hundred grams of sample was macerated separately in 200mL of 95% ethanol in a well stoppered Erlenmeyer flask for 72 hours. In obtaining the crude extracts, another sample was extracted using a blender . The filtrates collected from the ethanolic extract were evaporated by rotary evaporator. The ethanolic extracts were subjected to flame test to check the presence of alcohol. The Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated based on the changes of Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) values among the groups. There were observed significant decreases in SGPT and SGOT levels among rats administered with Hylocereus polyrhizus extracts. The Hylocereus polyrhizus crude and ethanolic extracts are both found effective as a protector of the liver against the induced carbon tetrachloride (CCl?) hepatic damages. However, findings reveal that the hepatoprotective effect against Carbon Tetrachloride(CCL₄) induced hepatic damages is better with crude extract when compared with ethanolic extract.