Hepatoprotective effect of commercial herbal extracts on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background:Various hepatoprotective herbal products from plants are available in Mexico, where up to 85% of patients with liver disease use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. However, only few studies have reported on the biological evaluation of these products.Objective:Using a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, we evaluated the effects of commercial herbal extracts used most commonly in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico.Materials and Methods:The commercial products were identified through surveys in public areas. The effect of these products given with or without CCl4 in rats was evaluated by measuring the serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), and histopathological analysis. Legalon® was used as the standard drug.Results:The most commonly used herbal products were Hepatisan® capsules, Boldo capsules, Hepavida® capsules, Boldo infusion, and milk thistle herbal supplement (80% silymarin). None of the products tested was hepatotoxic according to transaminase and histological analyses. AST and ALT activities were significantly lower in the Hepavida+CCl4-treated group as compared with the CCl4-only group. AST and ALT activities in the silymarin, Hepatisan, and Boldo tea groups were similar to those in the CCl4 group. The CCl4 group displayed submassive confluent necrosis and mixed inflammatory infiltration. Both the Hepatisan+CCl4 and Boldo tea+CCl4 groups exhibited ballooning degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and lytic necrosis. The silymarin+CCl4 group exhibited microvesicular steatosis. The Hepavida+CCl4- and Legalon+CCL4-treated groups had lower percentages of necrotic cells as compared with the CCl4-treated group; this treatment was hepatoprotective against necrosis.Conclusion:Only Hepavida had a hepatoprotective effect.

Hepatoprotective effects of blue honeysuckle on CCl4‐induced acute liver damaged mice

“…Silymarin is a powerful antioxidant that protects liver cells from toxins (Wellington & Jarvis, 2001). The antioxidant effects of silymarin on CCl 4 -induced liver damage have been well documented (Cordero-Pérez et al, 2013;Vargas-Mendoza et al, 2014); therefore, it was selected as a reference agent in this study.…”

Functional Assessments and Histopathology of Hepatorenal Tissues of Wistar Rats Infused with Carbon Tetrachloride and Treated with Raw and Hydrothermal Processed Herbs

“…12,13,98,99 Additionally, photomicrograph section of hepatic tissues of fibrotic rats ( Figure 6) revealed and confirmed CCl 4 -induced necrosis and steatosis as previously described. 12,13,88,106 The localized distortions in hepatic architecture, persistence of hepatic steatosis and hydropic degenerations in fibrotic rats following treatment with raw and hydrothermal processed herbs were indications, which confirmed limited capacities of the herbs to ameliorate CCl 4 -induced morphological and functional impairments of hepatic tissues within the experimental period of 28 days. According to Sokol et al 107 manifestation of hepatic steatosis was as a result of low availability of tissue α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, rather than glutathione (GSH), which also predisposed the liver to oxidative injuries as exemplified by the presence of hepatic necrosis in tissue sections of the present report.…”

“…82,83,84,85 Measurements of hepatic enzymes in serum of animal models have been used in previous studies as basis for ascertaining the capacities of herbal remedies to ameliorate chemically induced liver damage. 8,9,86,87,88 Elevated levels of serum AST, ALT and ALP activities are diagnostic of fibrotic changes of the liver, myocardial infarction, bone disorders and other related pathologic conditions associated with organ necrosis. 89 Serum ALT activity is more specific for hepatic injury than an increase in serum AST activity and may reflect fatty changes in the liver as in the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).…”

Changes in hepato-renal tissues biomarkers of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats co-administered monosodium glutamate and ascorbic acid

“…Rather, assessment in serum of hepatic marker enzymes revealed that co-administration of relatively low doses of MSG and ascorbic acid exacerbated hepatotoxicity, which was indicative of serum ALT to AST activities ratios greater than 2.00 units in Group III and Group IV as previously described. 7,[41][42][43] Conversely, coadministration of relatively high doses (>200 mg/kg b.w.) of MSG and ascorbic acid ameliorated hepatotoxicity as typified by comparatively lowered levels of serum AST/ALT activities of Group V and Group VI.…”