Hepatoprotective Activity of <i>Flueggea virosa</i> Against d-Galactosamine Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Abstract

Flueggea virosa belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae, commonly known as White berry bush was traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatism, sterility, and rashes, and an infusion of the root is taken to relieve malaria. The study was intended to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Flueggea virosa (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) against d-Galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. Blood samples were collected after 24 h for haematological and biochemical investigation before the rats were euthanized, and liver samples were taken for histopathology. Oral administration of the HEFV at a dose of 200 mg/kg displayed a significant hepatorenal protective effect against d-Galactosamine by lowering liver biomarkers (SGPT, SGOT, and ALP), kidney biomarker levels (urea and creatinine) and hematological parameters when compared with the disease control group. These findings were strongly supported by the histopathological results of liver sections with fewer pathological changes in comparison with the group treated by the standard drug silymarin and verified the protective effect of the plant extract. The LCMS report of the extract revealed the presence of hepatoprotective ingredients like Tocopherol, Fraxetin, Glaucine, Kaempferol, Methicillin, Capsaicin, and Austinol in the hydroethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa root. The results show that the selected dose of Flueggea virosa (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective effects on d-Galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The protection of Flueggea virosa against d-Galactosamine-induced liver damage and restoration of biochemical values could result from the content of tocopherols and tetrahydroxy flavones.