Hepatoprotective activity of Taiwan folk medicine: Eclipta prostrata Linn. against various hepatotoxins induced acute hepatotoxicity

The hepatoprotective effects of Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) were studied on acute hepatitis induced in mice by a single dose of carbon tetrachloride (31.25 μL/kg, i.p.) or acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.) and in rats by a single dose of β-D-galactosamine (188 mg/kg, i.p.). the hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating the serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) levels and histopathological changes in the liver of experimental animals. The Eclipta prostrata extracts significantly inhibited the acute elevation of serum transaminases induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice and by β-D-GaLN in rats. However, in the experimental model of acetaminophen, although an inhibiting tendency was noticed, no statistical significance was observed. Histopathologically, the crude E. prostrata extract significantly ameliorates either CCl₄ or GaLN-induced histopathological changes in the liver of experimental animals but no statistically significant improvement could be observed in acetaminophen induced liver damage. All serological and histopathological effects of Eclipta prostrata were compared with that of Bupleurum chinense DC., which has been previously reported and used as a treatment criteria for hepatitis (Chiu et al., 1988; 1989; Lin et al., 1990a, b).