Protective effect of Phyllanthus polyphyllus on acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008 Jan;21(1):57-62.

Abstract

Methanolic extract of Phyllanthus-polyphyllus was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in rats. The plant extract (200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. Acetaminophen induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO) with a reduction of total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Treatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (200 and 300 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.001) altered serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels to near normal against acetaminophen treated rats. The activity of the extract at dose of 300 mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control. Results indicate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Phyllanthus polyphyllus against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / toxicity*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / toxicity*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phyllanthus / chemistry*
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Toxicity Tests, Acute

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Plant Extracts
  • Acetaminophen
  • Catalase