Hepatoprotective Activity of Extracts of Beta Vulgaris Bulb

Abstract

Beta vulgaris (Family: Chenopodiaceae) is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Indian medicine for the management of various liver disorders. B. vulgaris bulbs are also used as expectorant, diuretic and to cure mental disorders. However, no scientific report is available for the hepatoprotective potential of B. vulgaris bulbs. The present study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of B. vulgaris bulbs in CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats. The dried, pulverized B. vulgaris bulbs were separately extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water by cold maceration technique for 6 days. The active extract was fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts (200 and 400mg/kg) and the fractions (100 and 200mg/kg) of active extract were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity in hepatotoxicated rats. Hepatotoxicity induced rats were orally treated with extracts and fractions for 7 days. Biochemical analysis and histopathology studies were performed to support the hepatoprotective activity. Among all the extracts and fractions, ethanol extract of B. vulgaris bulbs (400mg/kg) and its ethyl acetate soluble fraction (200mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.001) hepatoprotective effect. The significant (p<0.001) restoration was observed in the biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphate, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. Histopathological examination also supported the hepatoprotective effect of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction. The hepatoprotective activity of the extract and fraction was well comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (100mg/kg). The present study validates the traditional use of B. vulgaris bulbs for the treatment of liver disorders.

Combination of Momordica Charantia and Phyllanthus Amarus for Hepatoprotective Activity in Ethanol and Anti-Tubercular Drugs Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

“…Even though various synthetic drugs are available in the market to treat hepatic disorders, still there is a need for the development of new drugs to compensate their lack of efficacy and undesirable adverse effects. Hence, phytomedicines has a very crucial role in the treatment of hepatic disorders because of their fewer side effects and synergistic action when given in the form of combination [5]. In this regard, the current investigation involves the use of the combined extract of Momordica charantia [6] (Cucurbitaceeae) and Phyllanthus amarus [7] (Euphorbiaceae).…”