Hepatoprotective Activity of Kadukkai Maathirai (A Siddha Polyherbal Formulation) Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Damage in Rat

摘要

Kadukkai maathirai (KM) is a polyherbal formulation used in traditional Siddha Medicine for the treatment of liver diseases and iron deficiency anemia. This study was aimed to create preclinical scientific evidence on hepatoprotective activity of KM. Five groups, with six rats in each group were used in this study. Group 1 (normal rats) did not receive any drug. Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received carbon tetrachloride (CCl_(4)) 1mg/kg twice a week (on third day and seventh days of each week) for four weeks to induce hepatic damage. Group 2 (vehicle control) received only vehicle. Group 3 and group 4 were treated with two doses of KM, 36mg/kg and 72mg/kg respectively for 28 days. Group 5 (standard) received silymarin 25mg/Kg for 28 days. On 29~(th) day, blood was collected for estimation of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)and total bilirubin (TB). Liver was collected for histopathological examination. Group 2 showed significant (P < 0.001) increase in levels of AST, ALT, ALP and TB compared to group 1 indicating the liver damage caused by CCl_(4). KM treated Group 3 and group 4 showed a dose dependent reduction of all enzyme levels. Group 3 and group 4 showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in AST, ALT, ALP and TB levels when compared to vehicle control indicate the recovery of hepatic cells. Histology examination revealed that KM treatment reduced the hepatocellular necrosis in a dose dependent manner. Our study demonstrated the dose dependent hepatoprotective activity of KM against CCl_(4) induced liver injury. However, future study will be directed on molecular mechanism of individual ingredients, toxicity profile and clinical studies in various liver diseases.