Hepatoprotective activities of Lappula barbata and Plantago holosteum against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats and their in vitro antioxidant effects

Plantago and Lappula species are represented by 24 and 7 species in Turkey, respectively [1]. Plantago species are used for liver disease in folk medicine and contain aucubin and flavonoids [2]. Lappula species showed antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Boraginaceous plants are characterized by high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids [3]. In order to evaluate medicinal uses of Plantago holosteum Scop. (PH) and Lappula barbata Bieb. (LB), the potential hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol (70%) extracts [PH: 4.38 g (yield: 17.0%); LB: 2.75 g (yield: 10.9%)] of LB and PH in a rat model of PCM induced liver damage were investigated. PCM administration caused severe hepatic damage in rats [4] as evidenced by elevated serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT and serum level of BRN while decreased serum levels of TP and ALB. It elevated MDA, decreased GSH levels, GPx, SOD and CAT activities in liver homogenates. Administration of LB (400 mg/kg) and PH (200 and 400 mg/kg) extracts for 7 days before PCM inhibited the elevation of the serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and γ-GT enzymes and serum level of BRN. They elevated the serum level of TP (27.45, 29.41 and 33.33%, respectively). PCM-induced lipid peroxidation was reduced following administration of LB (25.21%) and PH (22.84 and 28.55%, respectively) at same doses. They increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (GPx, SOD, CAT) in liver homogenates and reduced GSH concentration (30.76, 30.06 and 36.36%, respectively) at same doses. The results revealed evident antioxidant activities for both extracts. The histopathological analysis suggested that both extracts obviously alleviated the degree of liver damage due to PCM administration. They protected against focal necrosis of hepatocytes and hepatocytes apoptosis induced by PCM. The present study suggests that LB and PH possess hepatoprotective activities that could be partly attributed to their antioxidant effects and the aucubin content of PH.

References:

[1] Davis PH. Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Vol. 6 and 7. Edinburgh University Press; 1982: 255 – 262, 505 – 521

[2] LaGow B, Murray L, Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 3 rd edition, NJ: Thomson; 2004: 288 – 289

[3] Orhan I, Deliorman-Orhan D, Ozcelik B. Antiviral activity and cytotoxicity of the lipophilic extracts of various edible plants and their fatty acids. Food Chem 2009; 115: 701 – 705

[4] Bhattacharjee R, Sil P. The protein fraction of Phyllanthus niruri plays a protective role against acetaminophen induced hepatic disorder via its antioxidant properties. Phytother Res 2006; 20: 595 – 601