Hepatoprotective effect ofCentella asiatica(L) in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

Synergistic Effects of Vitis vinifera L. and Centella asiatica against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Liver injury can be acute or chronic, resulting from a variety of factors, including viral hepatitis, drug overdose, idiosyncratic drug reaction, or toxins, while the progression of pathogenesis in the liver rises due to the involvement of numerous cytokines and growth factor mediators. Thus, the identification of more effective biomarker-based active phytochemicals isolated from medicinal plants is a promising strategy to protect against CCl₄-induced liver injury. Vitis vinifera L. (VE) and Centella asiatica (CE) are well-known medicinal plants that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, synergism between the two has not previously been studied. Here, we investigated the synergistic effects of a V. vinifera L. (VE) leaf, C. asiatica (CE) extract combination (VCEC) against CCl₄-induced liver injury. Acute liver injury was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl₄ (1 mL/kg). VCEC was administered orally for three consecutive days at various concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg) prior to CCl₄ injection. The extent of liver injury and the protective effects of VCEC were evaluated by biochemical analysis and histopathological studies. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and Western blotting. VCEC treatment significantly reduced serum transaminase levels (AST and ALT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). CCl₄- induced apoptosis was inhibited by VCEC treatment by reducing cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax). VCEC-treated mice significantly restored cytochrome P450 2E1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in CCl4-treated mice. In addition, VCEC downregulated overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines and hepatic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibited CCl4-mediated apoptosis. Collectively, VCEC exhibited synergistic protective effects against liver injury through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic ability against oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Therefore, VCEC appears promising as a potential therapeutic agent for CCl₄-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: A comprehensive review

The well-known medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of different health problems and as an edible vegetable in a regular diet. Ease of availability in the wide range of environmental conditions plus low-cost cultivation process has made the plant popular in ethno-medicinal healthcare systems. In the present review, phytochemical analysis of plant-extract and pharmacological activities of bioactive-compounds are discussed based upon the available reports to understand their therapeutic potentialities along with the mechanisms behind. The results exhibited that C. asiatica and its triterpenoids demonstrated an array of pharmacological effects and health benefits, some of which were confirmed in many preclinical and clinical studies. Those reports also provided considerable evidences in support of the principles of folk treatment in different countries. Increase and maintenance of the prospective plant secondary metabolites would provide an enriched resource of drug molecules. Development of suitable derivatives of the therapeutic compounds can give an assurance for getting more effective drug candidates with reduced side effects. The review also enumerates the application of advanced nanotechnology, toxicology, and clinical-trial reports on the plant with notes on the shortcomings in the present research and future perspectives of using this medicinal plant.

The ameliorating effect of Centella asiatica ethanolic extract on albino rats treated with isoniazid

BACKGROUND

Isoniazid, also called isonicotinyl hydrazine (INH), is a commonly used drug for treating tuberculosis. The main drawback is its toxic side effects. Centella asiatica has long been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine owing to its wide medicinal properties. This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of C. asiatica ethanolic leaf extract (CA) on INH-treated albino rats.

METHODS

The adverse effects induced by INH (50 mg/kg bw) administration on haematological parameters, oxidative status (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione), liver and kidney function markers, and their amelioration by various concentrations of CA (20, 40, 60, and 100 mg/kg bw) or silymarin (SIL) (50 mg/kg bw, administered before 1 h of INH treatment for 30 days to rats) were studied. Moreover, histological studies were carried out in liver and kidney tissues of rats treated with the most effective concentration to further support the possible effectiveness of CA on INH-intoxicated rats.

RESULTS

All the affected parameters returned to near-normal levels, and the effective concentration of extract was found to be 100 mg/kg bw. The histology of both the liver and the kidneys subsequently supported the effectiveness of CA (100 mg/kg bw).

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, the results suggest that CA at 100 mg/kg bw can substantially reduce the toxic effects of INH.

Herbal Supplements and Hepatotoxicity: A Short Review

Herbal products have gained popularity over the past few decades. The reasons attributed to the rise in popularity are cheaper costs, easy availability, patient compliance and fewer side effects. However, liver toxicity following consumption of herbal remedies is on the increase. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of action of the herbal supplements on the liver. Occasionally, herbal supplements may also interact with conventional drugs. The present review focusses on a few herbs such as Aloe barbadensis, Atractylis gummifera, Centella asiatica, Mitragyna speciosa, Morinda citrifolia, Larea tridentata, Symphytum officinale, Teucrium chamaedrys and Xanthium strumarium, which are reported to cause hepatotoxicity in humans and animals. Prior knowledge on hepatotoxicity caused by herbs may be beneficial for clinicians and medical practitioners.

Efeitos da aplicação da corrente polarizada e da iontoforese na gordura localizada em mulheres

INTRODUÇÃO: As correntes polarizadas possuem efeito iônico e no polo negativo predomina o aumento do metabolismo local. OBJETIVO: Comparar os efeitos da aplicação das correntes polarizadas e da iontoforese na gordura localizada em flancos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 24 voluntárias, com faixa tária 18-30 anos, sedentárias, sem antecedentes gestacionais e sem cirurgias em região abdominal. Foram divididas em quatro grupos: grupo A (n = 4), com aplicação de correntes polarizadas; grupo B (n = 6), iontoforese; grupo C (n = 6), cosmético diretamente sobre a pele; e grupo D (n = 5), controle. O protocolo das correntes consistiu em da aplicação das correntes galvânica, difásica, curto período e longo período, cada uma durante 5 minutos, sendo realizadas duas vezes por semana, totalizando dez sessões. Na iontoforese o produto utilizado foi a centelha asiática. A técnica de aplicação foi a transversal. Para avaliação e reavaliação, efetuou-se a adipometria e conferiram-se medida da circunferência, peso, altura e IMC. RESULTADOS: Na comparação intergrupos, verificou-se que os grupos A e B não apresentaram diferenças significativas nas medidas de circunferência e em relação à adipometria somente o grupo B apresentou resultados significativos (p < 0,05). Na comparação intergrupos, o mesmo grupo obteve a maior significância. CONCLUSÃO: A associação de cosmético e corrente polarizada proporcionou a redução das medidas em flancos, o que ressalta os benefícios da iontoforese.