Hepatoprotective effect of Centella asiatica against paracetamol induced liver damage in broiler chicken

The hepatoprotective effect of Centella asiatica was investigated in forty-two broiler chickens of 28 days age (800 to 900g). Group-1 was untreated control, while G- II (C. asiatica Juice, 20 ml/kg b.w. orally from 0–21 days + Paracetamol 250 mg/kg b.w. i.m. 16^th to 22^nd day), G-III (C. asiatica Juice, 10 ml/kg b.w. orally from 0–21 days + Paracetamol 250 mg/kg b.w. i.m. 16^th to 22^nd day), Group-IV (C. asiatica Juice, 20 ml/kg b.w. orally from 0–25 days) Group-V (C. asiatica Juice, 10 ml/kg b.w. orally, 0 -25 days), Group-VI (Paracetamol 250 mg/kg b.w. i.m., 16^th to 22^nd day) and G-VII (Liv-₅₂ Syrup 0.2 ml/kg b.w., orally 0–21 days + Paracetamol 250 mg/kg b.w., i.m. 16^th to 22^nd day) were treatment groups. The serial and quantitative changes in serum alanine transaminase, serum aspartate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum billirubin, icteric index, total protein, albumin, and globulin and A/G ratio were recorded. Histopathological examination of liver revealed that pre-treatment with C. asiatica juice @ 20 ml/kg b.w. or 10 ml/kg b.w. showed hepatoprotection to the same extent as that given by Liv-₅₂ against paracetamol intoxication (hepatopathy). It was concluded that C. asiatica juice may be recommended @ 10 ml/kg b.w. orally, twice daily for 15–20 days as hepatoprotective agent.