Abstract
Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth ex DC (Fabaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of pathological conditions such as gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of L. sericeus ethanolic extract on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), test animals were administered orally 200 and 400 mg kg−1 of L. sericeus extract four times after CCl4 intoxication. Results indicated L. sericeus extract reduced aminotransferase levels in the blood and MDA concentration in the liver. The antioxidant potential in the liver and blood was increased, an action that may be related to phenolics in the extract. The results demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect of L. sericeus.