Hepatoprotective activity of Sapindus mukorossi and Rheum emodi extracts: in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

Aim: To study the hepatoprotective capacity of Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) and Rheum emodi (R. emodi) extracts in CCl(4) treated male rats.

Methods: The dried powder of S. mukorossi and R. emodi was extracted successively with petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethanol and concentrated in vacuum. Primary rat hepatocyte monolayer cultures were used for in vitro studies. In vivo, the hepatoprotective capacity of the extract of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi and the rhizomes of R. emodi was analyzed in liver injured CCl(4)-treated male rats.

Results: In vitro: primary hepatocytes monolayer cultures were treated with CCl(4) and extracts of S. mukorossi & R. emodi. A protective activity could be demonstrated in the CCl(4) damaged primary monolayer culture. In vivo: extracts of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi (2.5 mg/mL) and rhizomes of R. emodi (3.0 mg/mL) were found to have protective properties in rats with CCl(4) induced liver damage as judged from serum marker enzyme activities.

Conclusion: The extracts of S. mukorossi and R. emodi do have a protective capacity both in vitro on primary hepatocytes cultures and in in vivo in a rat model of CCl(4) mediated liver injury.

Figure 1

Photograph of rat liver shows (HE, × 100). A: Liver of a control rat showing normal hepatocytes and normal architecture; B: Liver section from a CCl₄ treated rat demonstrating the destruction of architectural pattern, nodule formation in the lobular zone, inflamed periportal zone, moderate inflammation of portal area; C: Liver section from a Silymarin treated rat showing regeneration of normal hepatocytes; D: Liver section from a R. emodi treated rat showing normal lobular architecture; E: Liver section from a S. mukorossi treated rat showing normal lobular architecture no necrosis or fatty changes or any inflammatory reaction can be seen.