Protective and therapeutic effect of the Indonesian medicinal herb Curcuma xanthorrhiza on β-D-galactosamine-induced liver damage

The present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of a dose of C. xanthorrhiza on acute hepatotoxicity induced in rats by a single dose of BD-galactosamine (288 mg/kg, i.p.), and its mechanism of action. C. xanthorrhiza (100 mg/kg) was administered p.o. to experimental animals according to the protocol followed by the i.p. administration of a single dose of hepatotoxin. Hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels and histopathological changes in the livers of C. xanthorrhiza-treated and untreated groups of animals. The results clearly indicated that the extract of C. xanthorrhiza significantly reduced the acute elevation of serum transaminases induced by hepatotoxin, and alleviated the degree of liver damage at 24 h after the intraperitoneal administration of the hepatotoxins.