Pro-inflammatory and toxicological evaluation of Hepacare ® in mice

Abstract

Objectives Hepacare ® is a widely marketed herbal formulation in Nigeria for treating chronic liver ailments. This study evaluated the safety, as well as pro-inflammatory and genotoxicity effects, of Hepacare ® in mice. Methods The effect of the formulation was estimated in a 28-day study where 25 mice were divided into five groups, and Hepacare ® was orally administered at 250, 500, 750 and 2500 mg/kg body weight. The biochemical and haematological parameters were determined, organ weights were estimated and histopathology was also conducted. mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 was estimated by RT-PCR in acute toxicity experiments. Results The LD 50 was calculated at 3807.89 mg/kg body weight in mice. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the ALP activity in the 750 mg/kg treated group, while the 2500 mg/kg group exhibited significant increases in their AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and total protein levels compared with the control group. However, there was a significant dose related increase in monocytes counts in the groups treated with 750 and 2500 mg/kg. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression in the genotoxicity studies in all of the treatment groups compared with the control. However, several hepatic and nephro-pathological derangements were observed in the groups treated with higher doses of the formulation. Conclusions The study established that the herbal formulation may not induce significant pro-inflammatory toxic responses and genotoxic effects, but prolonged intake of higher doses may cause severe biochemical and clinical abnormalities.

Toxicopathological, proinflammatory and stress response evaluation of Terminalia catappa extract in male Wistar rats

“…TCA’s inability to alter these proinflammatory cytokines would suggest it does not activate inflammatory responses. A herbal formulation in Nigeria was similarly found not to alter the expression of these proinflammatory mediators, thus, corroborating our finding [ 10 ]. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) expedite the proper folding and function of proteins.…”

“…This underscores the necessity for safety evaluation and standardisation of herbal extracts. The need to incorporate molecular assessments of toxicity, in addition to the conventional toxicological parameters on testing of chemicals, was recently made by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) [ 10 ]. In view of the foregoing, this study evaluated the safety of Terminalia catappa aqueous leaf extract in male Wistar rats using proinflammatory and stress response molecular biomarkers in addition to the biochemical, haematological and histopathological indices.…”

Ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv (Olacaceae): a review

“…Besides, ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, and total protein significantly increased at the dose 2500 mg/kg. The effects of the herbal combination on haematological parameters showed a significant elevation in monocytes counts with no effects on PCV, WBC, neutrophils, and lymphocytes [62]. The herbal product also revealed an evidence of hepatic and renal damage after 28-day period pf administration.…”

“…However, the extract produced abdominal constrictions, sedation, diarrhoea, and decreased motor activity [23]. The oral LD 50 of Hepacare (a herbal formulation consist of Olax subscorpioidea and Capsicum frutescens) was 3807.89 mg/kg [62].…”

“…Abiodon et al also reported the sub-acute toxicity effects of Hepacare (a herbal formulation consisting of Olax subscorpioidea and Capsicum frutescens) [62]. The herbal product has no effect on the body weight, relative heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and lung weights [62]. The ALP remarkably elevated at the dose of 750 mg/kg.…”