Paper Title
Hepatoprotective Evaluation of Aqueous Tulsi Leaf Powder (Ocimum Sanctum) Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Toxicity In Rats

Abstract
The medicinal properties of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) have been studied in hundreds of scientific studies including in vitro, animal and human experiments. The present study was designed to evaluate the evidence of acute toxicity of lyophilized tulsi leaf powder (LTLP) and its preventive effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Group allocation in hepatoprotective activity study included vehicle, CCl4 (1ml/kg), Silymarin (100μg/kg/day) + CCl4 and graded doses of LTLP (50 and 100mg/ kg, BW/ day) + CCl4. On 9th day, blood was obtained for determination of biochemical parameters and liver tissue for pathological examination. There were no toxicological effects as evidenced by indications of mortality, behavior, diet consumption and tissue weights, though, some hematological parameters showed variations in their value at higher dose level. The level of protection was deliberated by using various biochemical parameters like total protein, albumin, BUN, AST, ALT and ALP levels. LTLP showed dose dependent hepatoprotective in nature which was further validated by marked diminish in occurrence of hepatocellular necrosis on histopathological analysis. This study suggests LTLP possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats with efficiency similar to standard drug and possible mechanism behind the results is discussed. Keywords - LTLP, Acute Toxicity, CCl4, Hepatoprotection, Silymarin