Phytochemical evaluation and hepatoprotective activity of Catharanthus rosea against simvastatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Background: The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Catharanthus rosea L. leaves against simvastatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Material and methods: The phytochemical study was also carried out on the ethanolic extract of Catharanthus rosea leaves. Hepatotoxicity was induced by simvastatin (20 mg/kg p.o. for 30 days) in Wistar rats. The hepatoprotective effect was evaluated by extract of Catharanthus rosea leaves (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 30 days). Results: The observation of the phytochemical investigations includes the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, phenols, and flavonoids. There were significant changes in biochemical parameters e.g. increases in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alanine phosphatase (ALP), serum bilirubin and decrease the total protein contents in Catharanthus rosea (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) treated animals. The results were comparable to standard hepatoprotective drug Silymarin (25 mg/kg). Conclusion: Thus, the present study ascertains that the ethanolic extract of Catharanthus rosea leaves possesses significant hepatoprotective activity.