In Vitro Study on Hepatoprotective Effect of Phyllanthus fraternus Against Lead Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Lead is one of the most abundant and hazardous environmental contaminants of the global concern. Environmental and occupational exposure to lead has continued to pose a serious threat to the health of living organisms due to its propensity to induce toxicity in mammalian systems. The major aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate ameliorative potential of Phyllanthus fraternus against lead induced hepatotoxicity. Current synergistic study involves exposure of goat liver homogenate to different concentrations of lead acetate and specific concentration of Phyllanthus fraternus aqueous extract for particular duration. During the study, biochemical indices like lipid peroxidation (LPO), Protein levels and enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), acid phosphatase (ACPase) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were measured. Results of the present study revealed that protein levels and enzymatic parameters of alkaline phosphatase as well as succinate dehydrogenase declined significantly while levels of lipid peroxidation and acid phosphatase increased significantly in lead acetate exposed goat liver homogenates as compared to control groups. The results also emphasized that effect of lead acetate was dose dependent. As the dosage of lead was increased, the intensity of damage to liver also found to be increased. Maximum alterations in all biochemical parameters were found at the dosage of 5 ppm. The results of the current study strongly suggested that lead had affected antioxidant system, protein content and activities of specific metabolic enzymes of liver homogenate. Co-administration of herbal aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (5 mg/ml) along with 5 ppm lead acetate to liver homogenate exerted an ameliorative effect and maintained the studied parameters closed to control group, which confers its protective role against lead induced hepatotoxicity.