Enhancement of Hepatoprotective Effect of Herbal Formulation (F1) on Carbon tetrachloride and Ethanol Induced Liver Toxicity in Albino Rats

Abstract

There are several plants and formulations which are recommended for the treatment of liver diseases. The formulation F₁ was composed with Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava), Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) and Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki). In present study, an Herbal formulation was evaluated for its hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride and alcohol induced hepatocellular injury in rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Charles foster rats by administering CCl₄ (1ml/kg, p.o., diluted in liquid paraffin) and ethanol (36.6%) 30 ml/kg/day p.o. Herbal formulation at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and silymarin as standard 50mg/kg were administered p.o. The hepatoprotective assessment was done by estimating biochemical parameters: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione. The histopathological studies were also done to estimate the extent of tissue injury. Herbal formulation markedly reversed the toxic effects caused by CCl₄ and ethanol intoxication as evidenced with serum and tissue biochemical parameters; similar to silymarin. Herbal formulation has also restored the cellular integrity of liver architecture after CCl₄ and ethanol exposure. The results of the study strongly indicate that the Herbal formulation has potential hepatoprotective action against CCl₄ and ethanol induced hepatic damage in rats.

Keywords: Herbal formulation, Hepatoprotective and Carbontetrachloride and Ethanol