The hepatoprotective principle of Hypoestes triflora leaves.

Hypoestes triflora is frequently used in Rwandese native medicine to treat hepatic diseases. Premedication with a water extract of the leaves prevented the prolongation of the barbiturate sleeping time associated with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. The compound responsible for this protective activity was benzoic acid. Mice previously treated with benzoic acid also showed a significant diminution of the increased GOT and GPT levels seen after carbon tetrachloride administration.