Liver Tonic Research Articles

Anti-hyperlipidemic Activity of Cucumis Melo Fruit Peel Extracts in High Cholesterol Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Abstract Cucumis melo Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) fruits have been used, traditionally in Indian traditional system of medicine, for the treatment of various disorders such as liver tonic, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antiobesity, etc. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Cucumis melo fruit peel (CMFP) methanolic and aqueous extract in high cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Treatment with CMFP methanolic and aqueous extract showed significant (P<0.01) reduction in gain in body weight, serum lipid profile like total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, atherogenic index and increased the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in 28 days treatment when compared to the hyperlipidemic control group. The fecal excretion of bile acids and sterols was further increased upon treatment with CMFP methanolic and aqueous extract and standard drug. Administration of methanolic extract of CMFP at a dose of 500 mg/kg showed higher antihyperlipidemic activity as compared to other extract treated groups. The results concluded that CMFP methanolic extract (500 mg/kg) have potent antihyperlipidemic activity in high cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia model and which is equipotent activity when compared with atorvastatin treated group.

Natural Products for Liver Diseases: Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research

Natural Products for Liver Diseases: Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research

Hepatoprotective Activity of Elephantopus scaber on Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage in Mice.

Elephantopus scaber has been traditionally used as liver tonic. However, the protective effect of E. scaber on ethanol-induced liver damage is still unclear. In this study, we have compared the in vivo hepatoprotective effect of E. scaber with Phyllanthus niruri on the ethanol-induced liver damage in mice. The total phenolic and total flavanoid content of E. scaber ethanol extract were determined in this study. Accelerating serum biochemical profiles (including AST, ALT, ALP, triglyceride, and total bilirubin) associated with fat drop and necrotic body in the liver section were observed in the mice treated with ethanol. Low concentration of E. scaber was able to reduce serum biochemical profiles and the fat accumulation in the liver. Furthermore, high concentration of E. scaber and positive control P. niruri were able to revert the liver damage, which is comparable to the normal control. Added to this, E. scaber did not possess any oral acute toxicity on mice. These results suggest the potential effect of this extract as a hepatoprotective agent towards-ethanol induced liver damage without any oral acute toxicity effect. These activities might be contributed, or at least in part, by its high total phenolic and flavonoid contents.

Treatment of Symptomatic Gallstones with Chinese Herbs

Purpose: Introduction: The best therapy for symptomatic gallstones is considered to be surgical, preferably with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dissolution is considered in patients who cannot tolerate, or refuse, surgery. We present a case of young gentleman who opted alternative medical treatment using chinese herbs successfully. Methods: Case: We are presenting a case of 37 year old male of chinese descent with 6 month history of epigastric/right upper quadrant pain, bloating, gas and dyspepsia. He had an ultrasound done that suggested multiple small mobile gallstones. He consulted a surgeon and was recommended to have cholecystectomy. He was highly skeptical to have surgery, and decided to take Chinese herbal treatment. He received four 15 day sessions, for a total of 60 days. Each session consisted of ½ gallon tea and 42 pills daily. The tea was made in ½ gallon boiling water to be mixed with multiple tea bags including full body cleansing tea, liver formula tea, bladder formula tea, and organic honey. The pills included kidney tonic I, ureter formula, spleen tonic, pancreas formula, liver tonic and stomach formula. The 1st and 2nd sessions were identical. The 3rd and 4th session had a minor change where origanum tea was added and honey was increased. After completion of this therapy, his GI symptoms improved. A repeat ultrasound revealed no further evidence of gallstones. Results: Discussion: The primary treatment of symptomatic gallstones is surgical. Medical therapy is considered in patients who cannot tolerate, or refuse, surgery. Non- surgical treatment consist of oral bile salt dissolution or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Medical management is rarely used because of duration of treatment needed and the high risk of recurrence. Use of ESWL is extremely rare. The most frequently used medicine is UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic acid). The success rate is variable and the duration of treatment may be long, lasting up to 12-24 months. We present a case where Chinese herbal treatment was utilized by the patient that resulted in dissolution of stones within 60 days. Conclusion: Symptomatic gallstone disease is very common. Surgical treatment is the mainstay of therapy. The incidence of gallstone disease is likely to rise in the country in view of the changing population dynamics and increasing obesity. The rising health care cost will make is difficult to cope with escalating demand for cholecystectomies. Medical management of selected cases of symptomatic cholelithiasis need to be studied further. A combined research effort by conventional evidence based medicine with alternative medicine may prove to be helpful in finding novel treatment modalities.

English

The fruits of&nbsp;Ligustrum lucidum&nbsp;Ait.,&nbsp;(FLL),&nbsp;which contain rich volatile components,are&nbsp;commonly used as tonic for kidney and liver in the traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. This&nbsp;study aimed to investigate the effects of volatile components ofFLL&nbsp;on the proliferation and differentiation of&nbsp;rat&nbsp;calvarial&nbsp;osteoblasts by the MTT method and&nbsp;measuring&nbsp;the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP).&nbsp;Results showed that&nbsp;volatile components (1 to 100&nbsp;&mu;g/mL) of&nbsp;FLL&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;(p&lt;0.01)&nbsp;stimulatedthe proliferation and increased&nbsp;the ALP activity of&nbsp;rat&nbsp;calvarial&nbsp;osteoblasts&nbsp;whichindicated&nbsp;that&nbsp;volatile components&nbsp;of&nbsp;FLL&nbsp;played&nbsp;an important role in osteoblastic bone formation&nbsp;just as&nbsp;non-volatile components&nbsp;in FLL. Such finding accredited the FLL as a potential candidate that might be useful in bone engineering and in treating bone defects including osteoporosis. The volatile components were analyzed by GC-MS. A total of&nbsp;67&nbsp;compounds were identified&nbsp;and the main components&nbsp;included(Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid&nbsp;(33.47%), n-hexadecanoic acid (15.02%), (E)-9-octadecenoic acid (9.03%),&nbsp;&alpha;-cadinol&nbsp;(6.51%), 4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-3-furanacetic acid (4.93%) and (E)-8-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (2.69%). &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Ligustrum lucidum, volatile components, rat calvarial osteoblasts.

Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, is arguably the most important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda. Various parts of the plant are used to treat a range of diseases, but the most important is the fruit. The fruit is used either alone or in combination with other plants to treat many ailments such as common cold and fever; as a diuretic, laxative, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, restorative, alterative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hair tonic; to prevent peptic ulcer and dyspepsia, and as a digestive. Preclinical studies have shown that amla possesses antipyretic, analgesic, antitussive, antiatherogenic, adaptogenic, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, antianemia, antihypercholesterolemia, wound healing, antidiarrheal, antiatherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective properties. In addition, experimental studies have shown that amla and some of its phytochemicals such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, some norsesquiterpenoids, corilagin, geraniin, elaeocarpusin, and prodelphinidins B1 and B2 also possess antineoplastic effects. Amla is also reported to possess radiomodulatory, chemomodulatory, chemopreventive effects, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and immunomodulatory activities, properties that are efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. This review for the first time summarizes the results related to these properties and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility as a cancer preventive and therapeutic drug in humans.

A review on phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of miswak (Salvadora persica Linn)

The miswak is a natural toothbrush made from the twigs of the Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae). Its use predates the inception of Islam and is frequently advocated in the Hadith (the traditions relating to the life of Prophet MuhammadPBUH). In addition to strengthening the gums, it prevents tooth decay, eliminating toothaches and halt further increase in decay that has already set in. It creates a fragrance in the mouth, eliminates bad odor, improves the sense of taste, and causes the teeth to glow and shine. The other parts of the tree have therapeutic values as corrective, deobstruent, liver tonic, diuretic, analgesic, anthelmintic, astringent, lithontriptic, carminative, diuretic, aphrodisiac, and stomachic. The present review is therefore an effort to give detailed survey of the literature on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of miswak.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Superliv Liquid and Repchol in CCl4 Induced FLKS Syndrome in Broilers

2 Abstract: A 6 week long experimental trial was conducted to study whether the supplementation of herbal products Superliv liq. and Repchol (supplied by M/S Ayurvet Limited, Baddi, India) are efficacious in treatment of liver and kidney due to CCl4. A total of 75 Cobb day old broilers were divided into three equal groups (n = 25). Group A served as negative control, group B (positive control) and C (treatment group) were induced with FLKS with CCL4 @1 ml/kg body weight orally, administered every 3 day during 15-28 days of trial. Treated rd group C were given Superliv Liq. @5 ml/100 chicks/day for first 2 weeks and @ 10ml/100 chicks/day for 3-6 weeks along with drinking water in combination with Repchol@500 gm/ton of feed from 0-6 weeks. Fatty liver and kidney syndrome lead to depression in growth rate, lowered feed efficiency and disturbances in immunopathological and biochemical parameters. Final mean body weight of group C was significantly (p<0.01) higher than group A and B. A significant (p<0.01) decrease in feed conversion ratio was observed in group C as compared to group B. A significant (p<0.01) decrease in level of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, creatinine, liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and increase in serum protein level was recorded in group C as compared to group B on 28 and 42 day of experiment, which was in confirmation with the th nd values of negative control group A, falling into normal range. Gross and histopathology of liver and kidney revealed that there was mild congestion and negligible degenerative changes in group C in contrast to severe changes of FLKS syndrome in group B. It can be concluded that liver tonic Superliv liquid along with phytoadditive Repchol (supplement for choline and biotin) efficaciously ameliorated the CCl4 induced toxicity, when administered prophylactically in broilers.

Hepatoprotective effects of Ficus racemosa stem bark against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in albino rats

In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of petroleum ether (FRPE) and methanol (FRME) extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) stem bark were studied using the model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. CCl4 administration induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, urea and a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in total bilirubin associated with a marked elevation in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as compared to control rats. Further, CCl4 intoxication caused significant increase in the TBARS and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels in serum, liver and kidney. Pretreatment with FRPE and FRME restored total protein and albumin to near normal levels. Both the extracts resulted in significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT and ALP, compared to CCl4-treated rats. However, a greater degree of reduction was observed in FRME pretreated group (FRPE 43%, 38%, and 33%; FRME 55%, 73%, and 38%). Total bilirubin content decreased from 2.1 mg/dL in CCl4-treated rats to 0.8 and 0.3 mg/dL in FRPE and FRME pretreated rats, respectively. The extracts improved the antioxidant status considerably as reflected by low TBARS and high GSH values. FRME exhibited higher hepatoprotective activity than a standard liver tonic (Liv52), while the protective effect of FRPE was similar to that of Liv52. The protective effect of F. racemosa was confirmed by histopathological profiles of the liver. The results indicate that F. racemosa possesses potent hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats.

Protective Effects of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels Extract on Acetaminophen Mediated Hepatic Injury and Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels fruit is used as a liver tonic in Indian traditional medicine. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic extract (70%) of Phyllanthus acidus fruits (PAE) on acetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) induced acute hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The effect on cytochrome P450 enzyme system using pentobarbital induced sleeping time (PST) and free radical scavenging potential using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) was also determined. Hepatotoxicity was achieved by administering a single oral dose of APAP (2 g/kg). PAE administered at a dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. showed a significant hepatoprotection against APAP-liver toxicity as evidenced by reduced serum markers and histopathological observation of liver tissues. Reduced enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels and elevated lipid peroxidation due to APAP intoxication, were significantly restored to normalcy by pretreatment with PAE. The PAE also showed prolongation of PST and DPPH scavenging potential. The results were compared with silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.), which found more effective than plant extract being tested. Collectively, the preset study clear that the ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus acidus fruit has hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and this is likely mediated through the inhibition of P450-mediated APAP bioactivation, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.

Cardioprotective Effect of Cucumis trigonus Roxb on Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rat

Problem statement: Cucumis trigonus Roxb fruit is used for various ailments in Indian traditional system of medicine such as anthelmintic, liver tonic, cardio tonic, appetizer, expectorant and intellect promoting. However, there is lack of information regarding the effect of Cucumis trigonus on the cardiac changes associated with ISO induced myocardial infarction. Approach: The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of ethanol extract of Cucumis Trigonus Roxb fruit (CTE) on the basis of electrocardiographic, biochemical and histopathological parameters in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats. Male albino sprague dawely rats were pretreated with CTE (75 and 150 mg kg-1) daily for a period of 14 days. After the treatment period, ISO (200 mg kg-1) was subcutaneously injected to rats at an interval of 24 h for two days to induce myocardial injury. After 48 h, rats were anaesthetized with anesthetic ether, electrocardiographic and the levels of biochemical and histological observations of the heart tissues were performed. Results: The activities of serum marker enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH and CPK) were increased significantly (p<0.05) in ISO-induced rats. In addition, it also exhibited Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes such as increase heart rate, reduced R-wave amplitude and ST-segment elevation. CTE at concentration of 150 mg kg-1, when administered orally showed a decrease in serum enzyme levels and the ECG changes brought to the near normal values. The observed results were further confirmed by histopathological findings. The histological sections obtained from ISO alone showed various degrees of focal lesions in many sections, consisting molted staining and fragmentation of muscle fibers with confluent retrogressive lesions were observed. Animals treated with CTE demonstrated marked improvement in ISO-induced alterations such as vacuolar changes, edema, capillary dilatation and leukocyte infiltration compared to ISO administered group. Conclusion: Our data showed that CTE (150 mg kg-1, p.o.) significantly restores most of the electrocardiographic, biochemical and histopathological parameters. The present study concluded that CTE may be therapeutic and prophylactic value in the treatment of myocardial infarction.

Amoora rohituka: A multicentric clinical verification study conducted by CCRH

Amoora rohituka or Andersonia has been used by Indian physicians as a medicine for splenic disorders since longtime. In Ayurvedic literatures it has been mentioned as an alterative, astringent and a tonic for liver and spleen enlargement. In Homoeopathy, it has been used for conditions like constipation, prolonged fevers associated with enlargement of spleen and liver; headache and burning pain in eyes, face, hands, feet, stomach, nausea & vomiting etc. A total of 4706 patients participated in this multicenteric clinical study at various Units/Institutes under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to confirm the uses of Amoora rohituka as mentioned in the homoeopathic materia medica and to evolve its clinical drug picture. This study not only confirms its therapeutic use in constipation , headache, fever, enlargement of liver and spleen and burning pain in different parts of the body etc. as noted in literature, but has also delineated the characteristics, which would help in differentiating Amoora rohituka from other similar remedies given in homoeopathic materia medica. Besides, a set of other symptoms were also relieved by the same drug, given for other purpose and emerged as clinical symptoms.

Milk Thistle Nomenclature: Why It Matters in Cancer Research and Pharmacokinetic Studies

Extracts of milk thistle have been recognized for centuries as "liver tonics" and are well-known to prevent or reverse hepatotoxicity of reactive drug metabolites or naturally occurring toxins. Milk thistle extracts are now under intense study in the experimental therapeutics of cancer for chemoprevention, treatment, and amelioration of chemotherapy side effects. Precision in nomenclature, however, has lagged behind this progress. The crude commercial product of milk thistle is termed silymarin, a complex of at least 7 flavonolignans and 1 flavonoid that comprises 65% to 80% of milk thistle extract. From silymarin is derived silibinin, a semipurified fraction once thought to be a single compound but now recognized as a 1:1 mixture of 2 diastereoisomers, silybin A and silybin B. The distinction between silymarin and silibinin is not only important to understanding the historical literature, but thorough characterization and use of chemically defined mixtures in preclinical and clinical studies are essential to the progress of these botanical compounds as human therapeutics. As a result, we urge clinicians and preclinical investigators alike to exercise rigor in nomenclature and use pure compounds or precisely defined chemical mixtures in subsequent studies. Herein, we provide a guide to the proper nomenclature and composition of milk thistle extracts and discuss the known pharmacokinetic studies of these botanical medicines. The drug-interaction potential of these extracts appears to be quite low, and in fact, silibinin appears to synergize with the antitumor effects of some commonly used chemotherapeutics. However, some precautions are advised as high-dose, phase II studies are conducted.

Protective effects of Ligustrum lucidum fruit extract on acute butylated hydroxytoluene-induced oxidative stress in rats

Nuzhenzi, the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae), is commonly used as tonic for kidney and liver in the traditional Chinese medicine prescription. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activities of ethanol extract of Ligustrum lucidum fruits (ELL) and its effects on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)-induced oxidative stress in rats. Results showed that ELL possesses weak antioxidant activities. Compared to the BHT (1000 mg/kg)-treated group, results showed that ELL at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), alkaline phosphatase (sALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglyceride (TG) and creatinine (Cr), as well as LDH in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). It also significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxides in liver and lung. In addition, ELL significantly enhanced the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in these organs. Histopathological evaluation of the tissues revealed that ELL reduced the incidence of lung lesions, while the liver and kidney tissues were not affected by BHT administration. Taken together, the protective effect of ELL against acute BHT-induced oxidative stress in rats could be through the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes.

Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) on the Activities of Some Liver Function Enzymes and Blood Glucose Concentration in Normal Rabbits

3 Abstract: Some of the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) on the activities of plasma glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), acid phosphatase (AP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood glucose concentration in normal rabbits were carried out. All the rabbits used which were of New Zealand strain weighed between 1.00 to 1.60 kg. About 100ml aqueous leaf extract of this plant was administered daily to the test rabbits orally through clean drinking troughs for a period of 15 days. Analyses were conducted using the blood collected intravenously from the larger veins at the back of the ears of rabbits. Aqueous leaf extract of Pride of Barbados did not affect plasma GOT, GPT, AP and ALP activities (P > 0.05). However, plasma glucose concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05) on the 9 , 11 , 13 and 15 days of administration of the aqueous leaf extract to the th th th th rabbits. It might be unsafe to abuse the use of this extract as liver tonic as it may create serious health problems for the diabetics due to the likely escalation of complications arising from hyperglycemia. Non - diabetics however, may be placed on a routine check of their fasting blood sugar as they use the aqueous leaf extract of Pride of Barbados.

Hepatoprotective studies of &lt;i&gt;Coccinia indica&lt;/i&gt; Linn. in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury

Cocciana indica Linn (Cucurbitaceae) is widely distributed throughout India. It was employed in ancient system of medicine as anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, digestant, liver tonic, and expectorant. Though it is traditionally used in jaundice and other hepatic manifestations, there are no reports on their validation and standardization for hepatoprotective activity. This study was undertaken to evaluate hepatoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves and fruits of the plant against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatotoxicity in rats and mice. The extract of the plant material significantly increased the bromosulphthaline clearance and significantly reduced the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time. Furthermore, serum examination of treated animals revealed that the plant extract reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Morphological studies demonstrated the hepatoprotective activity of the extract by showing a decrease in liver weight. Free radical scavenging studies indicated an increase in glutathione concentration and reduced liver lipid peroxidase after treatment with the plant extract. Keywords : Cocciana indica , cucurbitaceae, hepatoprotective, carbon tetrachloride, free radical scavenging Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 23 2005: 39-44

Modified-release tacrolimus just the tonic for liver, renal transplant

Modified-release tacrolimus just the tonic for liver, renal transplant

Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus racemosa leaf extract on liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

An extract of the leaves of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing chronic liver damage by subcutaneous injection of 50% v/v carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin at a dose of 3 mL/kg on alternate days for a period of 4 weeks. The biochemical parameters SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated to assess the liver function. The activity of extract was also comparable to a standard liver tonic (Neutrosec).