Hepatoprotective activity of six polyherbal formulations in paracetamol induced liver toxicity in mice.
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Date
2009-05
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Abstract
Background & objective: Polyherbal formulations available with a wide range of indications like protective
to liver, appetite and growth promoters, gastrointestinal and hepatic regulator, as treatment for hepatic
dysfunction, for hepatic regeneration as well as liver stimulant and tonic. Despite the widespread use,
there is a lack of scientifi c evidence on their effi cacy and safety. This study was undertaken to evaluate the
hepatoprotective activity of six commercially available formulations, namely Liv 52, Livergen, Livokin,
Octogen, Stimuliv and Tefroliv in acute liver toxicity in mice model induced by paracetamol (PCM).
Methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex were used, divided in 28 groups with six in each group. The
dose of the polyherbal formulations was calculated from human dose (20 ml/day) using a standard
conversion table. They were given as pretreatment (2.60 ml/kg/day) for 7 days by oral route twice a day
prior to PCM administration. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering a single oral dose of PCM
(500 mg/kg bw) on day 8. The study parameters were conducted on day 9. The biochemical parameters
included liver enzyme levels alanine tranaminases (ALT), aspartate transaminases (AST) and alkaline
phosphatase (ALP). The pharmacological and pathological parameters were phenobarbitone sleeping
time and macroscopic and microscopic changes of liver tissues respectively.
Results: PCM toxicity signifi cantly increased ALT, AST and ALP (321.00 ± 87.93, 273.17 ± 45.68, 257.50
± 17.64 IU/l vs normal control, 33.33 ± 0.61, 89.33 ± 9.50, 152.17 ± 11.40 IU/l respectively, P<0.05),
prolonged phenobarbitone induced sleeping time (from 277.50 ± 8.04 min to 335.83 ± 7.00 min, P<0.05).
When PCM higher dose (1g/kg p.o. single dose) was used, the liver tissue, in macroscopic appearance,
showed extensive necrosis associated with haemorrhages. Low dose (500 mg/kg p.o. single dose) showed
punctate haemorrhagic necrosis of liver tissue. In the microscopic studies, PCM induced toxicity showed
haemorrhages, fatty changes and necrosis. The pretreatment in low doses (2.6 ml/kg/day) with liquid
formulations of Liv 52 and Livergen reversed the PCM induced liver toxicity. At higher doses (5.2 ml/
kg/day), all the six herbal formulations conclusively showed marked benefi cial effects in the studied
pharmacological, biochemical and histological parameters.
Interpretation & conclusion: The present fi ndings demonstrated the effi cacy of polyherbal liquid
formulations at two dose levels in PCM induced hepatotoxicity in mice. However, it suggests that a dose
adjustment may be necessary to optimize the effects in clinical settings.
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Keywords
Hepatoprotective, hepatotoxicity, liver enzymes, paracetamol, polyherbal formulations
Citation
Girish C, Koner B C, Jayanthi S, Rao K R, Rajesh B, Pradhan S C. Hepatoprotective activity of six polyherbal formulations in paracetamol induced liver toxicity in mice. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2009 May; 129(5): 569-578.