Hepatoprotective activity of Eclipta prostrata L_INN. extract in ethanol induced rat hepatic injury

抄録

This study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Eclipta prostrata L_INN. (EP) in ethanol induced rat hepatic injury. In the in vitro study, EP (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mg/ml) increased % MTT reduction and decreased the release of transaminases (ALT and/or AST) in rat primary cultured hepatocytes being treated with ethanol. Hepatotoxic markers studied in rats included serum transaminases (ALT and AST), serum triglyceride (STG), hepatic triglyceride (HTG), TNF-α and IL-1β together with histopathological examination. Pretreatment of rats with EP at oral dose of 10, 20, 30 mg/kg and silymarin (a reference hepatoprotective agent) at 5 mg/kg 4 h before ethanol (5 g/kg, p.o.) decreased the ethanol induced levels of ALT and/or AST. The 30 mg/kg EP dose gave the best result similar to SL. Treatment of rats with EP (30 mg/kg/day) or SL (5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days after 21 days with ethanol (4 g/kg/day, p.o.) enhanced liver cell recovery by bringing the levels of ALT, AST and IL-1β back to normal. Histopathological observations confirmed the beneficial roles of EP and SL against ethanol induced liver injury in rats. Possible mechanism may involve their antioxidant activity.