Objective: The aim of the present study evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and petroleum ether extract of Platycladus orientalis leaf by paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats.

Materials and Methods: Hepatic damage, as reveled by histology and the increased activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and decreased levels of serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) were induced in rats by an administration of paracetamol (750 ± 5) mg/kg. Further, the effects of both extracts on serum thiobarbituric (TBAR), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated to measure the degree of protection.

Results: petroleum ether extract of Platycladus orientalis at a dose level of (200 ± 5) mg/kg produce significant hepatoprotection by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, while they significantly increased the levels of (GSH), (SOD) and (CAT) in a dose dependent manner. The effects Platycladus orientalis extract were comparable to that of standard drug, silymarin.

Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the aqueous and petroleum ether extracts of Platycladus orientalis possesses both effective hepatoprotective as well as significant antioxidant activity.