Abstract

Curcuma xanthorrhiza is widely used in Indonesia folk medicine to treat liver disorders. This study has evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of standardized ethanolic extract of C. xanthorrhiza. The extract was standardized using GC-MS. The hepatoprotective activity of this extract was studied using ethanol- induced liver toxicity in rats. This respective activity was assessed through monitoring liver function tests through the measurement of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and protein content. Further, hepatic tissues were also subjected to histopathological studies. Pretreatment of the standardized C. xanthorrhiza ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg) reduced the fatty liver symptoms and significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit the increase of respective serum enzyme levels. The results of the present study indicated that C. xanthorrhizapossess hepatoprotective effects which could act as an effective treatment for acute hepatic diseases.

Key words: Curcuma xanthorrhiza, hepatoprotective activity, ethanol, serum enzyme.