Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Methanolic Extract of Capsicum Annuum against Aspirin Induced Liver Injury in Rats

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity methanolicextract of Capsicum annuum (MECA) against aspirin-induced liver damage in Wistar Rats.Group-I animals administered with 1 ml of 1% CMC/kg b.wt per day orally for 14 days. Group-II rats were administered with only Aspirin 500mg/kg body wt. per day orally for 7 days.Groups-III animals were pretreated with MECA (5mg/kg/day) for 7 days before Aspirin and thengive Aspirin 500mg/kg for 7 days. Group-IV animals were post-treated with MECA(5mg/kg/day) for 7 days after Aspirin. Group-V animals were received MECA only. The isolatedserum was evaluated for AST, ALT, ALP, Total Bilirubin as part of liver function test usingregular kit sets. The liver histopathological examinations were observed. Post treatment withMECA 5mg/kg/day in group-IV rats showed significant decrease(P<0.001) in the levels of ALT,AST, ALP and total bilirubin compared to pretreatment with MECA 5mg/kg/day in group-IIIrats (P<0.01). The hepatoprotective activity of both pre and post treatment of MECA was foundto be comparable to that of aspirin 500mg/kg/day. The study demonstrated that MECA hassignificant hepatoprotective effects against aspirin-induced liver injury. It was evident thattreatment with MECA lowers hepatic enzyme levels and ameliorates histopathological damage.MECA pre-treatment and post-treatment were both beneficial, with post-treatment conferringstronger protection was based on its reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotectiveproperties.