HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF 50% METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CURCUMA PSEUDO-MONTANA RHIZOMES AGAINST D-GALACTOSAMINE-INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY IN RATS

Background: Liver illnesses are a serious health problem worldwide and the limited effectiveness and harmful effects of traditional therapy have led to the quest for safer hepatoprotective drugs of botanical origin. The species Curcuma pseudo-montana is a medicinal plant and a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals but its hepatoprotective potential is not well explored. Objective: The hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and 50% methanolic extracts of Curcuma pseudo-montana rhizomes was evaluated in D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Hepatic damage was caused in Wistar rats by D-galactosamine (600 mg/kg, i.p.). Animals were treated with aqueous or 50% methanolic extracts of Curcuma pseudo-montana rhizomes (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as standard reference. Hepatoprotective activity was determined by measuring blood biochemical indicators (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, total protein and bilirubin), antioxidant biomarkers (CAT, SOD, GSH and MDA) and histological changes in liver tissue. Acute oral toxicity experiments were also conducted and a preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out. Results: Both extracts markedly reduced D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% methanolic extract (400 mg/kg) demonstrated more significant decreases in serum SGPT, SGOT, ALP and MDA levels indicating better protection against hepatocellular injury and oxidative stress. Conversely, greater restoration of total protein, bilirubin homeostasis, CAT activity and GSH levels was seen with aqueous extract (400 mg/kg). Histopathological investigation showed significant improvement in hepatic architecture with decreased necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal congestion in both high dosage treatment groups, with equivalent effects to silymarin. Conclusion: Rhizome extracts of Curcuma pseudo-montana showed considerable hepatoprotective effect against D-galactosamine induced liver damage, perhaps through antioxidant mediated pathways. The comparative results showed that the 50% methanolic extract is more efficient in avoiding the hepatocellular damage, whereas the aqueous extract is more successful in recovering the hepatic functional parameters. The results indicate that Curcuma pseudo-montana may be a viable natural hepatoprotective drug, and additional phytochemical characterisation and mechanistic studies are needed.