Curative efficacy of methanolic extract of Monochoria vaginalis against Carbontetra chloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in male wistar rats

Abstract

The traditional medicine involves the use of different plant extracts or the bioactive constituents and provide cure to many ailments of mankind. Carbontetra chloride (CCl 4) induced hepatic fibrosis is a well-established animal model to study the pathogenesis and therapy of chronic liver injury. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate antifibrotic efficacy of methanolic extract of Monochoria vaginalis (MEMV) on CCl 4 induced liver injury in rats. Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male wistar rats by oral administration of CCl 4 (150µl/100g rat weight) twice a week for 10 weeks. In curative treatment M.vaginals and Silymarin at doses of 100mg, 200mg and 50mg/kg b.wt respectively were administered orally for 2 weeks after the establishment of fibrosis for 10 weeks. Results: CCl 4 administration caused a significant decrease in body weight and resulted in significantly increased levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD) and hydroxyproline (HP). MEMV at the dose of 200mg/kg b.wt prevented or reversed the decline in body weight and the levels of marker enzymes. The treatment reduced the tissue levels of TBARS, CD & hydroxyproline, and increased the levels of tissue GSH, serum total protein and albumin in chronically treated rats. Histopathological changes of hepatic lesions induced were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved by treatment with M.vaginalis. Conclusions:.The results indicate the antifibrotic effect of MEMV and thus scientifically validated the use of root part in traditional medicine for hepatic disorders.