Phytopharmacological screening of Luffa acutangula fruits for its antihepatotoxic activity.

Se examinó el extracto acuoso y etanólico (100 mg/kg) de Luffa acutangula Linn (frutos) para determinar la actividad antihepatotóxica en ratas druckrey mediante la hepatotoxicidad inducida por tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4) y paracetamol (PCM). Se demostró que el extracto posee un efecto hepatoprotector signifi cativo, ya que reduce los niveles séricos de transaminasas (SGPT y SGOT), fosfatasa alcalina (ALP) y bilirrubina. La signifi cativa actividad hepatoprotectora de Luffa acutangula es comparable a la de la silimarina, agente hepatoprotector estándar, lo que justifi ca su uso en afecciones del hígado.The ethanolic and aqueous extract (100mg/kg) of Luffa acutangula Linn(fruits) was examined for antihepatotoxic activity in druckrey rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with Carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) and Paracetamol(PCM). The extract has shown to posses signifi cant hepatoprotective effect by lowering the serum level of transaminases (SGPT & SGOT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. The signifi cant hepatoprotective activity of Luffa acutangula is comparable to that standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin, which justify its use in liver affection

Preclinical and clinical trials of Indian medicinal plants in disease control

Since the ancient period, the medicinal plants have been used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recently, it has gained extreme research importance for their nutraceuticals values. It has been confirmed by WHO that herbal medicines serve the health needs of about 80% of World’s population; especially for millions of people in the vast rural areas of developing countries. This book chapter summarizes the importance of several medicinal plants which are traditionally used in treatment and management of different ailments in India. In addition, some pharmacological models describe the possible mechanism of action of bioactive phytochemicals, which can be successfully used as drug candidates in near future. However, there is urgent need for basic scientific investigations on medicinal plants and this has been highlighted in current research trends in clinical trials