Protective Role of Terminalia bellirica Roxb Fruits Against CCl.sub.4 Induced Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Rodent Model

The medicinal plant, Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is widely used in the traditional Indian system of medicine like Ayurveda for centuries in the treatment of various ailments owing to it's rejuvenating as well as health promoting effects. The present study evaluates protective role of aqueous acetone extract of T. bellirica fruits (AATB) against CCl.sub.4 induced liver toxicity in animal model. The liver damage was assessed by liver function markers including ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin-globulin ratio. The levels of MDA, ROS, and NO along with the tissue antioxidants were evaluated to assess hepatic oxidative stress and level of lipid peroxidation. Treatment with AATB prior to the exposure of CCl.sub.4 significantly reduced the damage when compared to the control rats. The outcome of the present study advocates the traditional use of the plant as ethnic food and health tonic. Graphical