Solanum nigrum In Ayurveda, the drug is known as kakamachi. Aromatic water extracted from the drug is widely prescribed by herbal vendors for liver disorders. Although clinical documentation is scare as far as hepatoprotective activity is concerned, but some traditional practitioners have reported favorable results with powdered extract of the plant.
Andrographis paniculata Antihepatotoxic activity of the Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae) methanolic extract (equivalent to 100 mg/kg of andrographolide) and 761.33 mg/kg ip, of the andrographolide free methanolic extract (equivalent to 861.33 mg/kg of the methanolic extract) of the plant, using CCl4intoxicated rats. Biochemical parameters like serum transaminases--GOT and GPT, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin and hepatic triglycerides were estimated to assess the liver function. The results suggest that andrographolide is the major active antihepatotoxic principle present in A. paniculata.
Berberis aristata Berberis aristata being an important medicinal plant is used extensively for treating variety of ailments like infection of eyes, skin diseases, jaundice and rheumatism. The major alkaloid of this plant is reported to be berberin which possess anti-oxidant property The roots of Berberis aristata possess more effective hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 intoxication in rats because of its antioxidant bearing capacity. Acute CCl4 administration increased serum and liver lipid peroxides significantly. Berberine treatment could reduce these elevated levels. Pathological analysis showed degeneration and necrosis after CCl4 administration. Berberine treatment could minimize these effects to a certain extent.
Rosa damascena The hepatoprotective activity of the alcoholic extract of Rosa damascena was studied against paracetamol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver damage was assessed by estimating serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and histopathology of liver tissue. Pre- and post-treatment with ethanolic extracts showed a dose-dependent reduction of paracetamol-induced elevated serum levels of enzyme activity. The mechanism underlying the protective effects was assayed in vitro and the R. damascena extracts displayed dose-dependent free radical activity using DPPH (IC 50 = 162.525 μg/ml) and TBA method. The hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histopathological observation. The ethanolic extracts reversed paracetamol-induced liver injury. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of R. damascena extracts are related to its antioxidative activity.
Tinospora cordifolia Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers., known as Guduchi, Amrita is one of the most valuable medicinal herbs of Ayurveda. The term 'Amrita' is attributed to this herb in recognition of its ability to impart youthfulness, vitality and longevity to its patron. In modern medicine, it is well known for its hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, immunomodulatory activities and anti-fibrolytic activity. The active principle Tinosporin corrects immunosuppression associated with deranged hepatic function. Kupffer cells are major determinants of outcome of liver injury. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia was evaluated on Kupffer cell function, using carbon clearance test as a parameter. Antihepatotoxic activity of Tinospora cordifolia was studied in albino rats intoxicated with Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Liver function was assessed based on morphological, biochemical (SGPT, SGOT, Serum alkaline phosphatase, Serum bilirubin) and functional (Pentobarbitone sleep time) tests. A study conducted by Nagarkatti et al., (1994) on Tinospora cordifolia Indicates that it had decreased fibrosis in rats, induced by CCl4 and significantly improved the suppressed Kupffer cell function in another rat model of chronic liver damage induced by heterologous serum. This raises the possibility that anti-fibrotic effect of Tinospora cordifolia is mediated through activation of kupffer cells.
Phyllanthus niruri Phyllanthus niruri Linn. is a medicinal herb used in connection with secondary hepatitis and other ailments, in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2000 years. It is a proved antiviral drug in Hepatitis-B in human subjects. In the preliminary study, carriers of Hepatitis-B virus were treated with a preparation of the plant 200 mg for 30 days. 22 of the 37(59%) treated patients had lost Hepatitis-B surface antigen, when tested 15– 20days after the end of the treatment, compared with only 1 out of 23 (4%) placebo-treated controls. It has exhibited an inhibition of DNA polymerase on Hepatitis–B virus which is responsible for the replication of virus [9]. In a study, phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin and triacontanol were isolated from petroleum ether extract of Phyllanthus niruri shows significant results on rat hepatocytes. Preclinical studies demonstrate that an extract of the Phyllanthus niruri plant inhibits endogenous DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus and binds to the surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus. Extracts of Phyllanthus niruri have been shown to exert hepatoprotective effect against CCl4 induced HepG2 cell damage in rabbits. Pre-treatment with extract of Phyllanthus niruri Linn., reduced paracetamol-induced acute liver damage in rats as monitored by estimating the SGOT. In the in vitro-study, it decreased the release of AST and ALT in rat primary cultured hepatocytes being treated with ethanol.