Therapeutic Potential of Phyllanthus niruri Against D-Galactosamine Induced Hepatitis in Wistar Strain Albino Rats: A Study with Reference to Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Enzymes

Background: Phyllanthus niruri (PN), known as Bhumyamalaki and it has been used in Ayurveda to treat liver, kidney and spleen related disorders. But till date no study was carried on the antihepatitis activity of phenolic fraction of PN. The objective of the current study was to investigate the antihepatitic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of phenolic fraction of Phyllanthus niruri against hepatitis in rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar strain albino rats were divided in to 5 groups and treatment was administered as per the experimental design. The antioxidant enzymes Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Reductase (GR), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), reduced Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver markers Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) were estimated in all the groups. Results: In hepatitis rats the activities of all antioxidant enzymes were decreased. Whereas GST, MDA levels and AST, ALP, ALT activities were elevated in hepatitis rats. Administration of phenolic fraction of PN significantly increased many antioxidant enzymes in hepatitis rats except GST. Also, these results demonstrate the unique capacity of suppression of free radical toxicity by phenolic fraction of PN in hepatitis rats. Furthermore, histopathological examinations also proved that phenolic fraction of PN supplementation protected the liver tissue from oxidative damage. Conclusion: Our results reveal that phenolic fraction of Phyllanthus niruri has strong anti-hepatitis, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.