Solanum nigrum confers protection against CCl4-induced experimental hepatotoxicity by increasing hepatic protein synthesis and regulation of energy metabolism

Rajesh Krithika,Ramtej Jayaram Verma

doi:10.1186/s40816-018-0096-5

Abstract

BackgroundHepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is used as an experimental model to screen phytochemicals with liver protecting activity. Solanum nigrum (SN) is a shrub which is widely distributed throughout India. Traditionally the plant has been used for curing various ailments related to gastroenterology and hepatology. The present study was performed to evaluate the hepatoprotective property of S. nigrum extract standardized for its flavonoid content against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.MethodsThe liver protecting property of SN was evaluated by means of various biochemical parameters and histopathologically. S. nigrum was administered to Swiss strain female albino mice with either 100/ 200/ 300 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days along with CCl4 which is a well established model to induce hepatotoxicity.ResultsAdministration of CCl4 for 30 days caused a significant increase in liver marker enzymes and a decrease in hepatic DNA, RNA and protein levels which was effectively mitigated by treatment with the plant extract in a dose dependent manner. Similarly co-treatment of the extract along with the hepatotoxin improved hepatic energy status by increasing the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). Histopathological findings indicated severe vacuolization and necrotic changes after CCl4 treatment which was mitigated by the co-administration of SN extract in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsCarbon tetracholoride is known to exert hepatotoxicty by forming adducts with tissue macromolecules through covalent interactions. S. nigrum extract was found to effectively mitigate CCl4-induced changes in hepatic macromolecular content and energy status of liver tissue. The present study has identified the standardized S. nigrum as an effective hepatoprotective agent probably due to its role in improving the protein and energy levels in the hepatic tissue.

Highlights

Hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is used as an experimental model to screen phytochemicals with liver protecting activity
No significant difference in body weight was observed between different control groups (Groups 1–3)
No significant difference in the activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ–glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were observed among all control group animals (Groups 1–3)

Summary

Introduction

Hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is used as an experimental model to screen phytochemicals with liver protecting activity. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) once used as an industrial solvent, is presently used as an experimental agent to induce hepatotoxicity. This agent has been used successfully studies both in vitro and in vivo in many species to produce liver injury. Free radical results in the production of covalently bound adducts and have been reported to be responsible for CCl4-induced hepatic necrosis [1]. It is widely accepted (2019) 5:1 that CCl4-induced experimental hepatotoxicity greatly mimics viral hepatitis [2]. CCl4 can induce hepatotoxicity via lipid peroxidation mechanism through trichloromethyl peroxy radical (CCl3OO.) which is formed when CCl3. reacts with O2 [3]

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