Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 12, Issue 12, 47-51Original Article

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF N-MIRACLE (POLYHERBAL FORMULATION) AGAINST ETHANOL INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS

MEENATCHI SUNDARAM ANGAPPAN

Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health (Under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (Ccrh), Ministry of Ayush Govt of India), Sachivothamapuram Post, Kottayam 686532, Kerala, India
Email: spmangappan@gmail.com

Received: 30 Mar 2020, Revised and Accepted: 30 Apr 2020

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this current study is to investigate the hepatoprotective efficacy of N-Miracle (a polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced toxicity in male albino rats.

Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-200 g were used for the study. A total of 30 male albino rats were selected, divided into five groups. Ethanol-induced liver damage was done on Group III, IV, and V. Group I and Group II served as a normal and drug (N-Miracle) control. After the treatment period, the rats were anaesthetized by light ether anesthesia in a lethal chamber. Hepatic biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, histopathological examination are carried out to document the hepatoprotective effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation).

Results: The results of the present study demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in ethanol-induced rats as compared to normal and drug control Groups. The level of total protein and albumin were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in ethanol-treated rats. The toxic impact of ethanol was found to be restored in rats treated with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). The present study also exhibited the enzymatic antioxidant efficacy of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced toxicity in rats by increasing the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreasing the activity of Glutathione-S-transferase in the liver. The findings are also correlated with histopathological examination of N-Miracle treated group, which shows hepatic regeneration and decrease in degradation of hepatocytes.

Conclusion: This study could provide a possible explanation to hepatotoxicity resulting from exposure to ethanol. The findings of the present study revealed the ameliorative effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by improving the liver function, increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and restoring the morphological features of the liver.

Keywords: Ethanol, Polyherbal formulation, N-Miracle, Hepatotoxicity, Antioxidant etc

© 2020 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2020v12i12.39672. Journal homepage: https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijpps.

INTRODUCTION

The liver is the chief vital organ and the site for necessary biochemical reactions in the human system. The core function of the liver is to purify toxic substances and to synthesize useful biochemical compounds. Hepatotoxicity may result from direct toxicity of the primary compound and/or from a reactive metabolite or from an immunologically-mediated response affecting hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and/or liver vasculature[1] Ethanol toxicity was discovered to be a major cause of liver disorder for centuries. It is a growing medical and public health issue challenged by the adult and adolescent populations. Advancement to an alcoholic liver disease is a multifactorial process that includes a number of genetic, nutritional and environmental causes [2]. The liver cells are chiefly susceptible to alcohol-related injury such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis because it is the primary site of alcohol metabolism. Alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity has been perceived to develop largely through the extreme generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species as well as an impaired anti-oxidant defense mechanism, which results in oxidative stress with associated health problems [3]. Near about 80-90% of alcohol is metabolized in the liver, where alcohol is oxidized to acetaldehyde. The metabolic process is catalysed by different enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), microsomal ethanol metabolizing system and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde metabolic product of alcohol is more lethal than alcohol and it is connected with a more number of the metabolic disorders in liver disease triggered by alcohol. Alcohol ingestions have been found to cause the build-up of reactive oxygen species, which is the basis of lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes and proteins as well as DNA oxidation, resulting in liver cell necrosis [4]. In spite of the advancement in allopathic system of medicine, effective allopathic medicines are higher cost as well as associated with several adverse effects. Herbal remedies are proven to play a vital role in the treatment of liver diseases [5].

Plants have a great ability for producing new drugs for human benefit. According world health organization, more than 80% of world’s populations depend on the traditional remedy for their basic healthcare needs [6]. In Ayurveda, single or multiple herbs (polyherbal) are used for the treatment. The idea of polyherbalism is to attain superior therapeutic effectiveness. The active phytochemical ingredients of distinct plants are insufficient to achieve the appropriate therapeutic effects. When combining the multiple herbs in a particular ratio, it will give a better therapeutic efficacy. Besides, polyherbal formulations bring to improved convenience for patients by excluding the need of taking more than one different single herbal preparation at a time, which indirectly leads to better compliance and therapeutic effect. All these benefits have resulted in the recognition of polyherbal formulation in the market when compared to single herbal formulation [7].

N-Miracle, a polyherbal formulation, was prepared by the combination of Conium maculatum L, Lycopodium Clavatum, Selenium, Vitex agnus castus L, Pausinystalia yohimbe, Caladium seguinum. These medicinal plants have diversified pharmacological effect; however, the hepatoprotective effect of the combination of the above plants are not yet carried out.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Drugs and chemicals

N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) was provided by Dr. Ramesh Shankar, Sai Brindavan Homeo Clinic, Omalur Main Road, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 636 455 as a gift sample and it was used to carry out the current research work. All other chemicals and reagents used in the present study were obtained commercially and were of analytical grade.

Experimental animals

Male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-200 g were obtained from TamilNadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai and used for the study. The animals were fed with commercial pellet feed obtained from Sai Durga Foods and Feeds, Bangalore, India and water ad libitum. The animals were subjected to 12 h light/dark cycle under standard laboratory conditions at a temperature of 24-28 °C with a relative humidity of 60%-70%. The animal experiments were carried out as per the guidelines of Animal Ethical Committee (CPS/IAEC/AH/P/19/20).

Experimental design

After one week of acclimatization period, male albino rats were divided randomly into five groups of six animals each.

Group I: Normal control rats were treated with oral dose of distilled water for 30 d.

Group II: Rats were treated with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) 20 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 d.

Group III: Rats were treated with ethanol 20%v/v, 1.6 g/kg body weight/day for 30 d.

Group IV: Rats were treated with ethanol as given in Group III for 15 d. After ethanol induction for 15 d, N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) was given as given in Group II for the next 15 d.

Group: V: Animals were treated with ethanol as given in Group III and N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) as given in Group II simultaneously for 30 d.

Blood samples

After the treatment period, the rats were anaesthetized by light ether anaesthesia in lethal chamber. Blood samples were collected through a direct intracardiac puncture from each rat. Blood was collected in a dry test tube and allowed to coagulate at ambient temperature for 45 min. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3500 rpm for 10 min and stored at −20 °C for biochemical analysis.

Tissue homogenate preparation

A vertical midline thoracic and abdominal incision was done to explore the viscera. Liver of each animal was excised, cleaned from their surrounding fat and connective tissue, washed with normal saline, blotted with filter paper and rinsed in ice-cold saline. Half of each organ was homogenized for enzymatic analysis and the other half of organ was stored in 10% formalin for histological examination. The collected liver tissue of different experimental groups was homogenized in Tris-HCl buffer (0.1M, pH 7.4) using a Teflon homogenizer at 4 °C; the crude tissue homogenate was then centrifuged at a speed of 9000 rpm for 15 min in cold centrifuge, the supernatant was kept at-20 °C for assay of enzymatic antioxidant analysis [8].

Tissue samples for histopathological examination

The liver tissue was dissected out and washed in saline, cut into pieces of desired size and fixed in Bouin-Hollande fixative for 24 h. After removal of excess picric acid and dehydrated in graded series of alcohol, the tissues were infiltrated with molten paraffin at 58-60 °C and finally embedded in paraffin, 3-5 micron thick sections of all the tissues were obtained using a rotary microtome (Weswox, India) and stained in haematoxylin and eosin as counter stain. The slides were mounted using DPX mountant and examined at 400x magnification using photographic microscope [8].

Biochemical and enzymatic antioxidant analysis

Total protein and albumin in the serum were estimated by Biuret method [9]. Serum Aspartate Aminotranasminase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) were assayed by using the diagnostic kit based on the colorimetric method [10]. Serum alkaline phosphatase was estimated by using the diagnostic kit based on colorimetric method [11]. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were assayed by using standard colorimetric method [12-15].

Statistical analysis

The results were expressed as the mean value±SD. Group comparisons were performed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Significant difference between normal control and experimental groups were assessed by student′s t-test. A probability level of less than 5% (P<0.05) was considered as significant [16].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Biochemical analysis

There was a decrease in total protein and albumin in ethanol-treated animals (Group III) as compared to control rats (Group I). We also found that there was significant (p˂0.05) increase in total protein in N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) (Group IV) compared to ethanol treated rats (Group III). Simultaneous treatment with ethanol and N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) shows a considerable increase in total protein as compared to ethanol alone treated rats, which indicates the combined effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). We found that there was a significant (p˂0.05) increase in Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in ethanol-induced animals (Group III) as compared to normal control rats (Group I). We also found that there was considerable (p˂0.05) decrease in Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in N-Miracle treated animals (Group IV) compared to ethanol-induced group (Group III). In Group V, there was a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) as compared to ethanol-treated rats, which indicates the efficacy of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation).

Table 1: Effect of N-miracle (a polyherbal formulation) on serum total protein, albumin, Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in different experimental groups of rats

Groups Total protein (g/dl) Albumin (g/dl) AST (U/l) ALT (U/l) ALP (U/l)
I 8.95±0.32a 2.1±0.02a 12.20±1.50a 26.29±2.0a 188±10.80a
II 9.10±0.23a 1.98±0.03a 12.00±3.20a 25.89±3.1a 184.8±11.40a
III 7.0±0.25b 1.95±0.03b 19.90±2.28b 39.29±3.3b 278.8±11.90b
IV 8.88±0.45a 2.0±0.03a 13.10±2.50a 33.69±2.9a 232.5±11.50a
V 8.01±0.48a 2.02±0.21a 11.39±2.74a 31.11±2.17a 194.2±5.18a

Values were means of±SD of six rats, values not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at P<0.05

Hepatic cells take part in a variety of metabolic actions and control a host of enzymes. During liver injury, transport function of the hepatocytes was interrupted which leads to leakage of plasma membrane, thereby causing an increased enzyme level in serum [17]. In the current study, we observed a significant increase in the activities of liver marker enzymes such as Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) on ethanol intoxicated rats, which indicates increased permeability, damage and/or necrosis of hepatocytes [18]. Treatment with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) significantly alleviated the activities of liver marker enzymes to normal levels, which might be a consequence of stabilization of plasma membrane and maintaining the functional status of the liver from ethanol toxicity. The current study was supported by Margaret and Jayshree (2014) who have revealed Vitex agnus castus L. (one of the herb present in our polyherbal formulation N-Miracle) was useful in hepatic disorders. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, and alkaloids, which contribute to hepatoprotective activity. Hence from this study we concluded that Vitex agnus castus L, the active constituent of our polyherbal formulation N-Miracle was rich in several phytoconstituents, which showed good hepatoprotective activity, this was comparable with the hepatic enzymes [19].

Enzymatic antioxidant analysis

In rats treated with ethanol (Group III), there was a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) levels as compared to control animals (Group I). There was a significant (p˂0.05) increase in SOD, CAT, and GPx levels in N-Miracle treated animals (Group IV). During combined treatment of ethanol and N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) (Group V), there was a considerable (p˂0.05) increase in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) levels as compared to ethanol-treated rats, which indicated the combined effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). We also found that there was significant (p˂0.05) increase in Glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels in Group III as compared to Group I. The significant (p˂0.05) decreases in Glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels in Group IV were also noted. In Group V, there were a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in Glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels as compared to ethanol-treated rats, which indicated the combined effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation).

Table 2: Effect of N-miracle (Polyherbal formulation) on enzymatic antioxidant in Liver tissue in different experimental groups of rats

Groups SOD (U/min/mg of protein)

CAT

(µmol/min/mg of protein)

GPx

(µmol/min/mg of protein)

GST

(µmol/min/mg protein)
I 9.45±0.75a 75.75±4.89a 11.28±1.10a 3.13±0.43a
II 9.25±0.60a 76.86±5.25a 10.80±0.90a 3.28±0.43a
III 4.30±0.44b 45.10±3.90b 4.29±0.19b 6.36±0.20b
IV 8.90±0.45a 73.90±4.15a 10.78±0.80a 3.90±0.35a
V 9.18±0.86a 72.49±6.35a 11.10±0.12a 4.10±0.2a

Values were mean±SD of six rats, values not sharing a common superscript differ significantly at P<0.05

Free radical generation inhibition is important in protection against ethanol-induced hepatic lesion. This is accomplished by a set of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) [20]. Reduction in endogenous antioxidant was obviously connected with ethanol-induced oxidative stress, which was characterized by the generation of toxic acetaldehyde and other reactive molecules in the cell. The obtained result agrees with the findings of Hussain et al., (2001) and Molina et al., (2002) who reported that chronic ethanol treatment caused a significant reduction in hepatic antioxidant enzymes level [21-22]. In the present study, ethanol treatment induced a significant decrease in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidise (GPx) activities in the liver of rats when compared to the control group. These changes were markedly reversed by treatment with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). The reduction in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes might be due to the inhibition of their synthesis by some reactive molecules produced during ethanol metabolism. It could also be as a result of oxidation of the enzymatic proteins by the generated reactive oxygen species. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was a very important enzyme that plays an important role in the detoxification and metabolism of many foreign and endobiotic compounds [23].

Increase in Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was likely a protective response to purify the toxic metabolites generated in the course of ethanol metabolism. When compared with rats treated with ethanol alone, co-treatment of rats with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) and ethanol significantly reduced the hepatic Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity. The reduction in the hepatic Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity might be attributed to the antioxidant properties associated with the phenolic and flavonoid compound in N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation), which enabled it to protect the liver against the dilapidating effect of ethanol [24]. The positive alteration of enzymatic antioxidant in liver tissue might be due to the presence of Lycopodium clavatum (one of herb present in the polyherbal formulation).

Histopathology of liver

The liver of the control group (Group I) rats showed normal histological architecture. Histoarchitectural examination of the liver sections of rats treated with ethanol (Group III) showed hepatocellular lesions such as hydropic degeneration, microvesicular steatosis and vacuolization compared with the control group (Group I). The rats treated with 20 mg/kg of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) (Group IV) showed improved histological architecture. The rats treated with 20 mg/kg body weight of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) post and co-treatment (Group V) showed signs of protection against ethanol to a considerable extent as evident from the formation of normal hepatic regeneration and decrease in degeneration and vacuoles in the liver histology.

Histopathological view of a liver section of group I rats Histopathological view of liver section of group II rats
Histopathological view of liver Section of Group III rats Histopathological view of liver Section of Group IV rats
Histopathological view of liver section of group V rats

Fig. 1: Effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) on histopathological changes in liver section

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study revealed the ameliorative effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by improving the liver function, increasing the levels of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreasing the activity of Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver and also restoring morphological features of liver. Thus, N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) can be used for hepatoprotective treatment. Further study is required to demonstrate the hepatoprotective efficacy of N-Miracle.

FUNDING

Nil

AUTHORS CONTRIBUTIONS

Both authors have contributed equally.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

There are no conflicts of interest.

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