Restoration of histoarchitecture in the paracetamol-induced liver damaged rat by earthworm extract, Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

M. Balamurugan

Division of Vermibiotechnology, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar (India)

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• Pharmacology

Abstract. – Lampito mauritii, an earthworm widely used in Siddha as well as Ayurveda, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulceral and anti-oxidative properties. The present investigation shows its hepatoprotective role. Whole tissue extract of Lampito mauritii protect the paracetamol (2 g/kg body weight. p.o.) induced liver damage rat as a dose dependent manner (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight p.o.) by significantly (P < 0.05) decreasing the hepatic marker enzymes – aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase similar to silymarin (150 mg/kg b.w. p.o.). Histopathological observations of liver tissues corroborated these findings.

Corresponding Author: M. Balamurugan, MD; e-mail: dnabala@rediffmail.com