Abstract:
The aqueous extract of Melothria maderaspatana is used by traditional medical practitioners to treat jaundice in man. The effect of Melothria maderaspatana extract on damage induced in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes by D-galactosamine and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) has been investigated. On incubation of hepatocytes with galactosamine or TBH in the presence of the plant extract, a significant dose-dependent protection against hepatocyte damage was observed, with maximum protection at a concentration of 500 g/mL. At this concentration the galactosamine-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate amino-transferase (AST) were reduced by 40.7 percent + or - 4.2 percent and 37.7 percent + or - 6.1 percent respectively, compared with control incubations. The TBH-induced lipid peroxidation (estimated from malondialdehyde production) was decreased by 26.0 + or - 3.7 percent together with a 38.4 percent + or - 4.4 percent and 40.8 + or - 7.6 percent reduction in the release of cellular LDH and AST respectively into the incubation medium. On post-treatment with the plant extract the protective activity was found to decrease with increase in time of exposure of the cells to either of the toxins. The direct protective effects of Melothria extract on hepatocytes support the use of this plant as a herbal remedy.