Hepatoprotective effect of Lobelia alsinoides Lam. in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background Traditional healing practitioners of South India use fine paste (an Ayurvedic dosage form known as ‘ kalka ’) of Lobelia alsinoides Lam., an ethno medicinal plant for curing hepatic diseases. Objective To evaluate in-vivo hepatoprotective effect of a candidate formulation viz. kalka containing whole plant ( L. alsinoides Lam.) in rat model of Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatotoxicity. Materials & methods Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar albino rats by oral administration of 1.25 ml/kg CCl 4 once every day for 7 consecutive days. A candidate kalka formulation (fine paste) was prepared and administered to rats at different dose rates of 0.54 g/kg, 1.08 g/kg and 2.16 g/kg daily. At the end of the study-period, the serum levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and total cholesterol were monitored. Further, the hepatic pathology was evaluated for assessing the extent of hepatotoxicity in the control and hepatoprotective effect in treatment groups. Meanwhile in - vitro antioxidant activity of kalka was evaluated by hydroxy radical, nitric oxide and DPPH (2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) radical scavenging assays. Further, a ‘limit test’ was done in accordance with OECD Guidelines 425 (acute toxicity). Results The animals treated with the fine paste of L. alsinoides did not show an elevation in the biochemical values compared to CCl 4 treated rats and during histomorphologic evaluation, hepatoprotective effect was evident with scattered mitotic figures in the parenchyma. Acute toxicity evaluation indicated that doses up to 2500 mg/kg are not toxic to rats. It has a good anti-oxidant activity also. Conclusions From the study, it was obvious that L. alsinoides had significant hepatoprotective effect in CCl 4 induced liver toxicity in rats. This ethno medicinal plant is certainly a promising hepatoprotective drug in liver disorders.

A Review of Plants with Remarkable Hepatoprotective Activity

“…Alsinoides was uncertain from the study but is assumed to be due to the capacity of the plant derivatives to prevent lipid peroxidation by its free radical scavenging activity in the liver 2 . Bamboo is an under-explored plant with high therapeutic potential.…”

“…Lam. 2 Wistar Albino Rats Animals treated with the fine paste of L. Alsinoides at 2.16 g/kg showed best hepatoprotective activity.Histomorphologic evaluation showed hepatoprotective effect with scattered mitotic figures in the parenchyma, doses up to 2500 mg/kg are not toxic to rats, showed good anti-oxidant activity.…”

“…Esculetin, Hydroxycinnamic acid, Caffeoylquinic acid, Dicaffeoylquinic acid, Chicoricacid 25 , cichotyboside 26 , flavonoids, saponins 4 Flavones, flavanones, flavonols, coumarins, and phenolic acids 4 Foeniculum vulgare d-limonene 1 Cordia sebestena L. Flavonoids 5 Curcuma heyneana Flavonoids, saponins, tannins,glycosides,steroids/triterpenoids, curcuminoid which comprises of comprises curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin 6 Lobelia Alsinoides Lam. Steroids, alkaloids, phenol and tannins 2 Three Varieties of the Passion Fruit (Passiflora Sp. )…”

“…The liver is permanent susceptible to exogenous substances e.g. drugs, alcohol and environmental toxins, which can lead to liver disorders, such as hepatocellular, cholestatic (obstructive) and mixed type of the liver disorders 1 .Liver diseases have become a global concern worldwide and deaths caused by liver diseases are rising each year at an alarming rate 2 . It is steadily increasing over the years and World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected in its World Health Statistics of 2020 to be the eleventh most important cause of death in the world by 2030 and may be the tenth most common cause of death in India by 2020.Plants have been used since ancient times in the treatment of liver diseases, several research has proven the preventive and therapeutic activity of plants as a hepatoprotective agent.…”

Multiple approach of natural hepato-protectant against chemical toxicity

“…Binitha et al described hepatoprotective effect of Lobelia alsinoides Lam. in wistar rats [9]. Naji et al attained hepatoprotective activity of velittin on isoniazed and rifampicin induced liver injury in male albino rats [61].…”