Protective effect of <i>Euphorbia neriifolia</i> saponin fraction on CCl₄-induced acute hepatotoxicity

Abstract

The present investigation aims at assessing the hepatoprotective effect of saponin fraction isolated from the leaf of Euphorbia neriifolia on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity on rat. CCl4 (1.5 mg/kg, i.p) is a potent hepatotoxic agent, which induces peroxidative degeneration of membrane lipids causing hypoperfusion of the membrane. Cytosolic enzymes like SGPT, SGOT and ALP elevates in the blood and hepatic glutathione and SOD decreases. The hepatoprotection of triterpene was compared with silymerin, a well known standard hepatoprotectant. Euphol was isolated from E. neriifolia leaf total sapogenin fraction after separation and instrumentation.  Pretreatment with total saponin fraction (50, 125 and 175 mg/kg, p.o once a day for 4 days before CCl₄ and  continued further for 3 days) attenuated the CCl₄-induced acute increase in serum SGPT, SGOT and ALP  activities and considerably reduced the histopathological alterations. Further, saponin fraction reduced  thiopentone (4 mg/kg, i.p) induced sleeping time, suggesting the protection of liver metabolizing enzymes.  Saponin administration replenished the depleted hepatic GSH and SOD by improving the antioxidant status of  the liver. Saponin pretreatment improves bromsulphalein clearance and also increases the cellular viability.  These effects substantiate protection of cellular phospholipid from peroxidative damage induced by highly  reactive toxic intermediate radicals formed during biotransformation of CCl4.

Key words: Euphorbia neriifolia, triterpenoidal saponin, euphol, β-amyrin, hepatoprotective.