Hepatoprotective studies on haloxylon salicornicum: a plant from cholistan desert

The objective was to study the in-vivo hepatoprotective effect of aerial parts vi Haloxylon salicornicum [Moq.] Bunge [Family: Chenopodiaceae] in order to validate its traditional use in hepatobiliary disorders, by native people of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Aerial parts [ethanolic extract] ofHaloxylon salicornicum [HS], [500 and 750 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 7 days] were evaluated on CC1[4] intoxicated rabbits [0.75 ml/kg., s/c.] by serum biochemical parameters and liver histopathological observations. Silymarin [100 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 7 days] was used as a standard hepatoprotective drug. CC1[4] intoxicated group had elevated levels of SCOT, SGPT and ALP significantly but TB level was normal as compared to control group. HS extract [both doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg] showed hepatoprotective effect by significant restoration of SCOT, SGPT, ALP and TB levels as compared to CC1[4] control. 500 mg/kg doses of HS extract produced more significant results as compared to 750 mg/kg doses and Silymarin. Histopathological examination of liver tissues further substantiated these findings. Therefore, outcome of the present study validate the traditional claims on hepatoprotective effects ofHaloxylon salicornicum [aerial parts]

Dose-dependent protective effects of silymarin against ccu-induced liver damage in rats

Silymarin, the dried extract of the ripe seeds of Silybum marianum is found to be a powerful protective agent against xenobiotics-induced tissue injury in many organs, including liver. However, the dose-dependent relationship of this effect and tissue availability is not fully explored. So, this project was designed to evaluate the relationship between dose, tissue availability and tissue protection of silymarin against ccu-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. The tissue protective effects of silymarin were studied through the pre-treatment of rats with various doses [250, 500, and l000 mg/kg] orally twice daily before the induction of hepatotoxicity of ccl4. Malondialdehyde [MDA] and glutathione [GSH] were evaluated in the serum and tissue homogenate. The activities of different enzymes, which are considered as indicators of organ toxicity like alanine amino transaminase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransaminase [AST] were assessed. Histopathological examination of stained tissue sections from the liver were done to evaluate the protective effect at the microscopical levels. In addition, silymarin level in liver tissue homogenate -was evaluated using HPLC method. The data obtained indicated that, a significant amelioration of oxidative stress experimentally induced in the liver of rats was produced by silymarin, as evidenced by lowering MDA contents and elevation of GSH levels both in the tissues and serum compared with controls. Serum activities of ALT and AST were normalized. Additionally, histologically evident damage in the liver had improved In addition, increasing silymarin dose after oral administration resulted in increased tissue availability of many constituents. There is a dose-dependent relationship in the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin against ccU-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Effect of propriety herbal formulation against chronic carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.

Efficacy of propriety herbal formulation (PHF) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage was investigated in adult rats. Administration of CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg; i.p.) twice a week for 12 weeks resulted in significant elevation in serum transaminases activity. Level of reduced glutathione was significantly decreased. On the contrary, significant elevation was found in the hepatic lipid peroxidation level. Proliferation of fibroblast replaced the hepatic parenchyma cells in focal areas. Cell organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus showed severe degeneration after CCl4 exposure. PHF was effective in restoring the CCl4 induced biochemical and histological ultrastructural changes.

Hepatoprotective effect of a protein isolated from Cajanus indicus (Spreng) on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Treatment with hepatotoxin namely carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.1 ml/100 g of body weight; twice a week) induced acute hepatic necrosis in Swiss albino mice (male; body weight 30 g +/- 2), with significant alteration in the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT); glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT); alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum bilirubin. Administration of a protein fraction isolated from the leaves of C. indicus counteracted the action of CCl4 on transaminase, phosphatase showing hepatoprotection. Daily treatment with a purified protein fraction 'X' from the above plant (0.5 mouse ml i.p; 50-60 micrograms/ml) for a period of 7, 14, 21 days respectively showed decreased activities of serum transaminases alkaline phosphatase and decreased levels of serum bilirubin. These findings were further confirmed by histopathological study of liver.

Hepatoprotective effect of Liv-52 and kumaryasava on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats.

Oral administration of Liv-52 and kumaryasava to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treated rats improved growth. Kumaryasava was more effective in reducing the liver weight increase due to hepatotoxicity of CCl4. Hepatic arginase, cathepsin-B, acid phosphatase, ribonuclease activity which were decreased on CCl4 treatment was stimulated by both Liv-52 and kumaryasava. Results indicate that Liv-52 and kumaryasava have protective effect on hepatic enzyme induced due to CCl4 hepatotoxicity.

Comparative effects of colchicine and silymarin on CCI4-chronic liver damage in rats

The comparative effects of colchicine (10 µg day-1, p.o.) and silymarin (50 mg kg-1, p.o.) each given for 5 days a week on the chronica carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) liver damage were studied. Treatment with CCl4, resulted in a marked reduction of Na+, K+, and Ca2+-ATPases in plasma liver membranes as compared to vehicles or either silymain or chochicine alone. Collagen content in livers of animals treated with CCl4 was increased about four-folds as compared to controls and histological examination of liver samples showed thad collagen incfrease distorted the normal liver architecture. Colchicine or silymarin treatment completely prevented all the changes observed in CCl4-cirrhotic rats (namely, lipid peroxidation, Na+, k+ and Ca2+-ATPases), except for livel collagen conten which was reduced only 55 percent as compared with CCl4-treated rats and for alkaline phosphatase and glutamic pyruvic transminase wich still remained above controls. In the CCl4 + silymarin group, the loss of glycogen content was completely prevented. However, when rats were treated with CCl4+colchicine, liver glycogen content could not be restored. The hepatoprotective effects of colchicine or silymarin were very similar in regard to the prevention of chronic liver damage