Abstract
The study evaluated therapeutic effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Trianthema portulacastrum against carbon tetrachloride (CCl
4
) induced toxicity in rabbits. The entire sample plant was identified using key, dried, ground, and bioactive compounds were extracted using Soxhlet extractor. Adult rabbits (N = 60, 1 kg body weight) were divided into 5 groups: group I as controls, group II received CCl
4
only, groups III to V received CCl
4
in normal saline but were later orally administered different doses (75, 150 and 225 mg kg
−1
) of silymarin , aqueous or ethanolic extracts of T. portulacastrum. Hematological parameters were investigated 6 days after administration of the ameliorants. The effects of T. portulacastrum ethanolic and aqueous extracts were then compared to effects of standard silymarin drug. It was discovered that ethanolic extracts conferred hepato-protection on rabbits as silymarin did, suggesting that these extracts may be used instead of silymarin to improve animals health exposed to toxicity.