Hepatoprotective activity of a new polyherbal formulation against paracetamol and D-galactosamine induced hepatic toxicity

OBJECTIVE: The present study was envisaged to evaluate the protective effect of polyherbal formulation, DRDC/AY/8060, developed by Dabur India Ltd., against paracetamol and D-galactosamine induced hepatic toxicities in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in two different experiments of 10 and 14 days against paracetamol and D-galactosamine, respectively. Animals were divided into different treatment groups (n = 6). The control group received normal saline, a toxicant group in two experiments received paracetamol 750 mg/kg p.o. every 72 h for 10 days and D-galactosamine 400 mg/kg i.p. single dose. The test formulation was used at the two dose levels of 120 and 240 mg/kg/day. Treatment groups treated with test formulations were also administered D-galactosamine as given in toxicant group. At the end of the dosing schedule, blood was withdrawn from the retrobulbar plexus of the animals for serum estimation of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transferase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate trasnferase (SGPT), albumin, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Following the withdrawal of blood animals was sacrificed, and liver tissue was excised for estimation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde), tissue glutathione (GSH) and histopathological studies. RESULTS: It was evident from the biochemical estimation that both paracetamol and galactosamine caused hepatotoxicity in the toxicant groups. However, treatment with DRDC/AY/8060 significantly (P < 0.001, vs. toxicant) reduced the levels of SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin, and ALP, as well as decreased lipid peroxidation. In addition, treatment with test formulation also significantly (P < 0.001, vs. toxicant) elevated serum albumin and GSH levels compared to toxicant groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these studies and comparative evaluation it can be concluded that the formulation DRDC/AY/8060 showed hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol and D-galactosamine at 120 mg/kg and 240 mg/kg.