Andrographis paniculata (Family: Acanthaceae) and Swertia chirayita (Family: Gentianaceae) are two controversial
medicinal plants used as Kiriyattu, having similar therapeutic action and are used as a hepatoprotective
and hepatostimulative agent. A. paniculata grows in southern parts of India and S. chirayita in
the Himalayan region. The present work concerns on the ability of the extracts of these plants to offer
protection against acute hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (150 mg/kg) in Swiss albino mice. Oral
administration of A. paniculata or S. chirayita extract (100–200 mg/kg) offered a significant dose dependent
protection against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity as assessed in terms of biochemical and histopathological
parameters. The paracetamol induced elevated levels of serum marker enzymes such as
serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin in peripheral blood serum and distorted hepatic tissue architecture
along with increased levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase,
reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver tissue. Administration of the
plant extracts after paracetamol insult restored the levels of these parameters to control (untreated) levels.
Thus the present study revealed that the extracts of A. paniculata or S. chirayita offered protection
against hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol.