Pharmacological Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 Tablet in Carbon Tetrachloride-, Ethanol-, and Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity Models in Wistar Albino Rats

BACKGROUND: Hepatotoxicity ultimately leads to liver failure. Conventional treatment options for hepatotoxicity are limited and not safe. OBJECTIVE: Formulation AHPL/AYTAB/0613 is developed to provide safer and effective hepatoprotective drug of natural origin. A study was conducted to evaluate hepatoprotective activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 (three dosages) in comparison with marketed formulations in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three separate studies were conducted in models of CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Seven groups of animals were studied comparatively to evaluate the efficacy of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 in low, medium, and high dosage in comparison with silymarin and a marketed polyherbal formulation. The drugs were orally administered to rats for 10 days in CCl(4) model and for 14 days in ethanol and paracetamol models. Animals were weighed periodically. After the study period, blood was tested for serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. Liver tissue of sacrificed animals was examined histopathologically. RESULTS: All the test formulations including all three dosages of AHPL/AYTAB/0613, significantly reduced levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total bilirubin, in CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity models. There was significant increase in total protein level in all the tested formulations. All the test formulations effectively preserved the structural integrity of the hepatocellular membrane and liver cell architecture damaged by CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol. When compared between groups, no statistically significant difference was observed. It can be concluded that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 possesses hepatoprotective activity in CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. CONCLUSION: AHPL/AYTAB/0613 can be effectively used as a hepatoprotective agent in the management of hepatitis caused due to various toxins. SUMMARY: A polyherbal formulation AHPL/AYTAB/0613 containing Bhringaraja - Eclipta alba extract, Guduchi - Tinospora cordifolia extract, Daruharidra - Berberis aristata extract, Kakamachi - Solanum nigrum extract, Punarnava - Boerhaavia diffusa extract, Bhumyamalaki - Phyllanthus niruri extract, Kutaki - Picrorhiza kurroa extract, and Kalmegha - Andrograhis paniculata extract was assessed for its hepatoprotective activity. This activity was tested in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity models in Wistar albino rats in comparison with two marketed formulations. It was observed that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 significantly reduced levels of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and also significantly increased total protein level. All the test formulations effectively preserved the structural integrity of the hepatocellular membrane and liver cell architecture damaged by CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol. When compared between groups, no statistically significant difference was observed. Therefore, it was concluded that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 possesses hepatoprotective activity in CCl(4), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. [Image: see text] Abbreviations Used: CCl(4): Carbon tetrachloride, SGOT: Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, SGPT: Serum glutamic pyruvi transaminase, ALP: Alkaline phosphatase, UDCA: Ursodeoxycholic acid, US: United States, FDA: Food and Drug Administration, PBC: Primary biliary cirrhosis, GSTA1: Glutathione S-transferase A1, GSH: Glutathione, GPx: Glutathione peroxidase, GST: Glutathione S-transferases.