Abstract   

The effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of leaves of Cassia alata in varions doses (2.5 - 20.0 mgkg’) for 7 days, on hepatic damage induced by administration of 45% EtOH (20 mlkg and CC14 (0.1 ml kg in rats has been investigated. Biochemical parameters including levels of serum tranaminases (GOT and GPT), serum bilirubin and plasma prothrombin time have been determined to assess liver cell damage and liver function. Significant increases in the levels of serum tranaminases 88:14 ± 29.89 U/L, (P<0.01) GOT and 76.00 ± 31.19 U/L (P<0.05) GPT were reduced by 22.7% and 32.9% respectively. In addition, prothrombin time, 19.97 ±2.02 sec. (P<0.005) was reduced by 48.75% and bilirubin contents (0.31 ± 0.10 mg/dl, direct and 1.38 ± 0.98 mg/dl total) were decreased by 44.2% and 58.1% respectively. The results showed that the levels of serum transaminases (GOT and GPT), serum bilirubin and plasma prothrombin time raised by the EtOH/CCI4 treatment were dose-dependently reduced by the oral administration of the extract. The observed hepato-protective activity of the extract confirms this aspect of the use of Cassia alata in traditional medicine for the treatment of cirrhosis and hepatitis.