Indian Journal of Pharmacology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751 Vol. 41, Num. 1, 2009, pp. 23-27

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 41, No. 1, January-February, 2009, pp. 23-27

Research Article

Hepatoprotective activity of Eugenia jambolana Lam. in carbon tetrachloride treated rats

Sisodia SS, Bhatnagar M

Department of Pharmacology, Bhupal Nobles' Girls College of Pharmacy, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Correspondence Address:Department of Pharmacology, Bhupal Nobles' Girls College of Pharmacy, Udaipur, Rajasthan
sisodiabn@yahoo.co.in

Date of Submission: 07-Feb-2008
Date of Decision: 23-Sep-2008
Date of Acceptance: 08-Feb-2009

Code Number: ph09006

Abstract

Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride, Eugenia jambolana Lam., marker enzymes, methanolic extract

Introduction

The liver, in vertebrate body, performs many vital functions, including metabolic and detoxification activities. A number of chemical agents and routine drugs produce cellular as well as metabolic liver injury. Therefore, many herbal and other indigenous sources have been adequately explored for the safe and effective hepatoprotective action. Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as Jamun , is being widely used to treat liver dysfunctions and diabetes by the traditional practitioners for over many centuries. ^[1],[2],[3] The bark of this plant is astringent, antihelmenthic, antipyretic, antidysentric and useful in certain urinary disorders, excessive thirst, hemorrhages, ulcer and vaginal discharges. ^[4] The juice is helpful in treating inflammation and swelling on the liver and spleen. ^[5] The chemical constituents of the seed of Eugenia jambolana Lam. are gallic acid, ellagic acid, corilagin, ellagitannins, isoquercetin, quercetin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, guaiacol, resorcinaldimethyl ether, lignaglucoside, veratrole, β - sitosterol, palmitic acid etc. ^[1],[5]

In view of the above, the present study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the hepatoprotective properties of the seed extract of Eugenia jambolana Lam., in experimental rat model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Materials and Methods

Plant material and chemicals
The seeds of the plant Eugenia jambolana Lam. was collected from a rural area near Udaipur (Rajasthan) city and was purified using the absorption method (by keeping them in contact with brick powder). After purification, the fine powder of the seeds was packed in high quality filter paper and the successive solvent extract (methanol) was prepared by continuous extraction method, with the help of a soxhlet extractor. After vacuo evaporation, the crude extract was suspended in 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) and stored in a refrigerator for further use. Liv.52 ^® (The Himalaya Drug Company, Bangalore, Batch No. 41001CL, Mfg. Date: October 2004, Exp. Date November 2007) syrup was used as positive control. Carbon tetrachloride (Ranbaxy Laboratory Ltd., Batch No. 6FMV0468R) was used to induce hepetotoxicity.

Experimental Animals
Male albino rats (Wistar strain) weighing 200 - 225g of either sex were used for the present study. The animals were housed in polypropylene cages at controlled temperature (26 ± 2° C), relative humidity (60 ± 5%) and light conditions(12 -12 hours day night cycle). The rats were fed with standard laboratory diet and drinking water was given through a drinking bottle, throughout the experiment. The animals were maintained as per the CPCSEA regulations and the study was approved by the IAEC at Bhupal Nobles′ College of Pharmacy, Udaipur (Rajasthan).

Experimental induction of hepatotoxicity
Liver toxicity was induced in rats by administrating carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ ) subcutaneously (sc), in a suspension of liquid paraffin (LP; 1 : 2 v/v) at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight, on alternate days, for one week. ^[6]

Experimental design
The rats were divided into six groups I - VI, each group consisting of six rats. The rats in group I served as control and received subcutaneous administration of liquid paraffin only 1 ml/kg on alternate days, for one week. Group II rats were given carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ ) sc, in a suspension of liquid paraffin (1 : 2 v/v), at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight, on alternate days, for a week. Group III rats were given Liv.52 ^® orally daily and carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ ), in a suspension of liquid paraffin (1 : 2 v/v), at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight, on alternate days, for a week, subcutaneously. Group IV - VI were orally administered the extract of Eugenia jambolana Lam. (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) respectively daily and carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ ), in a suspension of liquid paraffin (1 : 2 v/v) at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight, on alternate days, for a week, by the subcutaneous route. The daily food consumption was monitored. The different doses of Eugenia jambolana Lam., LP and CCl ₄ were administered to the rats daily, between 8.00 a.m. and10.00 a.m.

On the eighth day, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Through an incision made on the jugular vein, blood was collected. The blood and serum were separated by centrifugation and used for estimation of biochemical parameters, that is glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), ^[7] glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), ^[7] alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ^[8] acid phosphatase (ACP) and bilirubin (total and direct). ^[8]

Statistical analysis
The results of the biochemical estimations are reported as mean + SD of six animals in each group. The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (anova). This was followed by Scheff′s/Dunnett′s test, to determine the statistical significance of the difference in enzyme activity and other parameters. The level of significance was P < 0.05.

Histology
The liver tissue was excised from the animals, washed with the normal saline to remove blood, fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin for 12 hours and processed for paraffin embedding. Sections of 5µm thickness were cut using a rotary microtome. The sections were processed and passed through graded alcohol series, stained with alum haematoxylin and eosin, ^[9] cleared in xylene and cover slipped in DPX. Histological examination was done under AO Star microscope.

Results

Serum marker enzymes
The levels of marker enzymes, viz. GOT, GPT, ALP, ACP and Bilirubin (total and direct) were significantly increased in group II carbon tetrachloride treated animals, as compared to the control untreated group I. The groups III - VI, treated with Liv.52 ^® and different doses of Eugenia jambolana Lam., followed by carbontetrachloride, showed significant decrease in the level of serum marker enzymes, as compared with the carbon tetrachloride treated group II [Table - 1] and [Table - 2].

Histological examination
During the histological examination of liver sections of the control group [Figure - 1], it was observed that the central vein was prominent, with normal hepatocytes. In the carbon tetrachloride intoxicated group [Figure - 2], centriolobular necrosis was observed. In the histological profile of the Liv.52 ^® treated group [Figure - 3] and the different groups treated with Eugenia jambolana Lam [Figure - 4],[Figure - 5],[Figure - 6], there was less centriolobular necrosis and hepatocytes showing regeneration activity.

Discussion

Carbon tetrachloride, a widely used experimental hepatotoxicant, is biotransformed by cytochrome P - 450 systems to produce the trichloromethyl free radical (CCl ₃·) that causes lipid peroxidation and, thereby, produce liver damage. ^{[10],[11],[12]} Carbon tetrachloride produces the dose dependent hepatotoxicity by directly affecting the liver, causing lipid peroxidation. ^[11] The mechanism of the action of carbon tetrachloride is complex, multifactorial and not completely understood. When administered, carbon tetrachloride accumulates in hepatic parenchymal cells, which is metabolized to free radical CCl ₃·. The free radicals react with molecular oxygen to produce peroxy radicals (H ₂ O ₂ , O ₂ and ·OH due to incomplete reduction of molecular oxygen), thereby causing oxidative destruction of polyunsaturated fatty acids. ^[13] These activated radicals bind covalently to the macromolecules and induce peroxidative degradation of membrane lipids of endoplasmic reticulum, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lipid peroxidative degradation of biomembrance is one of the principle causes of hepatotoxicity. ^[14] In acute hepatic necrosis, increase in the serum level of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) is followed by an increase in the level of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), which is indicative of liver mitochondrial injury. ^[15] This is evidenced by an elevation of the serum marker enzymes GOT, GPT, ALP and ACP in the carbon tetrachloride treated rats. ^[16],[17] When liver cell plasma membrane is damaged, a variety of enzymes, normally located in the cytosol, are released into the blood and their estimation is a useful quantitative marker of the extent and type of hepatic cell damage. ^[18] In the present investigation, treatment with different dosages of the extract of Eugenia jambolana Lam. (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p. o.) significantly reversed these elevated marker enzymes, viz. - GOT, GPT, ALP, ACP and bilirubin (total and direct), and the results obtained were comparable with those of the Liv.52 ^® treated group.

A unique feature of the liver tissue is its ability to regenerate. The cell repair mechanisms are influenced by phospholipids coupled with a rise in thymilidate synthetase and thymidine kinase level in the liver, reaching a peak at 72 hours, indicating liver regeneration. ^[19] Hepatic cell damage and recovery proceeded simultaneously. However, it is inhibited by repeated dosage of carbontetrachloride. ^[20]

In our study, 400mg/kg p. o. dose was highly effective, as compared to other dosages. It is thus concluded that the methanolic extract of Eugenia jambolana Lam., at an oral dose 400mg/kg/day, is effective against the hepatotoxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride. In our study, a comparative histopathological study of the liver from different groups, also shows the hepatoprotective efficacy of Eugenia jambolana Lam.

Further profound studies are required to establish the therapeutic potential and safety of the drugs of herbal origin, in the treatment of hepatotoxicity.

In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the seed extract of Eugenia jambolana Lam. can be effective treatment against liver injury.

Acknowledgment

We wish to thank the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan, for funding this research work.

References

1.	Kolhi RK, Singh RH. Eugenia jambolana a plant drug with potential antidiabetic: A review. J Sci Res Plant Med 1985;1:21-8.   Back to cited text no. 1
2.	Sastri BN. Wealth of India. New Delhi: C.S.I.R. Publications; 1954.   Back to cited text no. 2
3.	Bansal R, Ahmad N, Kidwi JR. Effects of oral administration of Eugenia jambolana seeds and chlorpropamide on blood glucose level and pancreatic cathepsin B in rats. Indian J Biochem Biophys 1981;18:377.   Back to cited text no. 3
4.	Nadkarni KM. Indian materia medica. Mumbai, India: Papular Book Depot; 1954.   Back to cited text no. 4
5.	Deshpande DJ. A hand book of herbal remedies. Jodhpur, India: Agrobios; 2008.   Back to cited text no. 5
6.	Achliya GS, Kotagale NR, Wadodkar SG, Dorle K. Hepatoprotective activity of panchegavya ghrita against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2003;35:308-11.  Back to cited text no. 6
7.	Reitman S, Frankel AS. A colorometry method for the determination of serum glutamic oxaloacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Am J Clin Pathol 1957;28:53-6.  Back to cited text no. 7
8.	Kind PR, King AJ. Elimination of plasma phosphate by determination of hydrolysed phenol with aminoantipyrine. J Clin Pathol 1954;7:322-26.  Back to cited text no. 8
9.	Galigher AE, Kayloff EN, Essentials of practical microtechniques. Philedelphia: Lee and Febiger; 1971.   Back to cited text no. 9
10.	Ploa GL. Chlorinated methane and liver injury: Highlights of past 50 years. Annual Rev Pharmacol toxicol 2000;40:42-65.  Back to cited text no. 10
11.	Recknagal RO, Glenda EA. JrDolak JA, Walter RL. Mechanism of carbon tetrachloride toxicity. Pharmacol Ther 1989;43:139-54.  Back to cited text no. 11
12.	Recknagal RO. Carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity. Pharmacol Rev 1967;19:145-208.  Back to cited text no. 12
13.	Gebhardt R. Oxidative stress-plant derived antioxidant and liver fibrosis. Planta Medica 2002;68:289-96.  Back to cited text no. 13  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
14.	Dhawan D, Goel A, Karkara K. Effects of carbon tetrachloride and Liv. 52 on the clearance rate of 133 I-Rose Bengal in rat liver. AMPI Med Phys Bull 1991;16:27-9.   Back to cited text no. 14
15.	Zimmerman HJ. Hepatotoxicity. New York, US: Century Crofts; 1978.   Back to cited text no. 15
16.	Bhattacharyya D, Mukharjee R, Pandit S, Das N, Sur TK. Prevention of carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats by Himoliv: A polyherbal formulation. Indian J Pharmacol 2003;35:183-5.  Back to cited text no. 16
17.	Bhattacharyya D, Mukharjee R, Pandit S, Das N, Sur TK. Hepatoprotective effect of Homoliv: A polyherbal formulation in rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2003;47:435-40.  Back to cited text no. 17
18.	Mitra SK, Venkataraganna MV, Sundaran R, Gopumadhavan S. Protective effect of HD-03, a herbal formulation against various hepatotoxic agents in rats. J Ethno Pharmacol 1998;63:181-6.  Back to cited text no. 18
19.	Dobrymina OV, Migushina VL, Shatinina SZ, Boldnova NB. Use of phospholipid to repair rats liver membrane during CCl 4 poising. Bull Eksp Biol Med 1987;104:301-5.  Back to cited text no. 19
20.	Devershi P, Kanase J, Kanase R, Mane S, Patil S, Varute AT. Effect of Mandur Bhasma on lipolytic activities of liver, kidney and adipose tissue of albino rats during CCl 4 induced hepatic injury. J Bio Sci 1986;10:227-32.  Back to cited text no. 20

Copyright 2009 - Indian Journal of Pharmacology

The following images related to this document are available:

Photo images