Evaluation of hepatoprotective and anticancer potential of Ehretia laevis: An In-vitro evidence

Abstract

Background: Ehretia laevis has been used to treat Jaundice in various Uttarakhand sub-Himalayan regions in India. The current study focused primarily on Ehretia laevis hepatoprotective and anticancer activity. Objective: The present study validates Ehretia Laevis traditional claim as a jaundice remedy by evaluating in vitro hepatoprotective properties of Ehretia laevis leaves along with their anti - cancer properties. Materials and Methods: The well-known model of carbon tetrachloride induced in vitro rat hepatocyte injury in HepG2 cells, the hepatoprotective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aqueous fraction of Ehretia laevis was evaluated. Further the concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides (TGL) and total proteins in the culture medium were evaluated as an indication of hepatocytes necrosis using Ecoline diagnostic kits. The MTT assay was used to estimate the in vitro anticancer activities of the hydroalcoholic extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aqueous fraction of Ehretia laevis against cancer cell lines [Vero (African, Green Monkey Kidney), MCF-7 (Human, Breast Carcinoma), A-549 (Human, Lung Carcinoma) HEP-G2 (Human, Liver Carcinoma)]. Result: Among the extracts evaluated ethyl acetate fraction showed significant Hepatoprotective and anticancer activities at low concentration. Ehretia laevis demonstrated dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity. Conclusion: The present study validates its traditional use as a remedy of jaundice and can provide promising therapeutic interventions against chemical-induced liver damage. Moreover Ehretia laevis also showed significant anti-cancer activity.