Hepatoprotective Activity of Methanolic Extract of Prunus domestica against D-Galactosamine Induced Hepatic Stress in Rats

Abstract

D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats is recognized to be similar to viral hepatitis in humans from both morphological and functional points of view. Galactosamine has considerable liver specificity because hepatocytes have high levels of galactokinase and galactose-1-P-uridylyltransferase while other organs do not. Prunus domestica (plums) belonging to the family Rosaceae is a medium sized tree. The plant has been used extensively in the traditional medicine as hepatoprotective. In the present study, Methanolic Extract of Prunus domestica (plums) exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity, afforded protection Galactosamine-induced liver damage, which could be at least partly attributed to free radical scavenging activity of tannins and antioxidants in the extract.