Hemidesmus indicus protects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity

Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine in the different parts of the Indian subcontinent due to the various biological activities attributed to its different parts, especially the roots. It has traditionally been used for treating snakebites, scorpion stings, diabetes, urinary diseases, dyspnea, menorrhagia, oligospermia, anorexia, fever, abdominal colic and pain, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, rheumatism, headache, inflammation, pyrosis, skin diseases, leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases and cancer. In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of bone-loss, low body weight, fever, stress, topical wound and psoriasis. Besides, Ayurvedic literature also depicts its use as anti-atherogenic, anti-spasmodic, memory enhancing, immunopotentiating and anti-inflammatory agents.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this review, we aim to present a comprehensive update on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, specific pharmacology, and toxicology of H. indicus and its bioactive metabolites. Possible directions for future research are also outlined in brief.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Popular and widely used international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and JSTOR were searched and traditional literature were consulted using the various search strings to retrieve a number of citations related to the ethnopharmacology, biological activity, toxicology, quality control and phytochemistry of H. indicus. All studies on the ethnobotany, phtochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant up to 2019 were included in this review.

RESULTS

H. indicus has played an important role in traditional Indian medicine (including Ayurveda) and also in European medicine. The main pharmacological properties of H. indicus include hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-ophidian, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Phytochemical evaluations of the root have revealed the presence of aromatic aldehydes and their derivatives, phenolics, triterpenoids and many other compounds, some of which were attributed to its bioactivity. This review also compiles a list of Ayurvedic formulations and commercial preparations where H. indicus has been used as an active ingredient. We have included the critical assessment of all the papers cited in this manuscript based on experimental observation and other important points which reflect the loop-holes of research strategy and ambiguity in the papers reviewed in this manuscript.

CONCLUSIONS

The study presents an exhaustive and updated review on the traditional, pharmacological and phytochemical aspects of H. indicus with notes on its quality control and toxicological information. Although the crude extracts of H. indicus exhibit an array of pharmacological activities, it is high time to identify more active phyto-constituents by bioactivity-guided isolation besides elucidating their structure-activity relationship. More designed investigations are needed to comprehend the multi-target network pharmacology, to clarify the molecular mode of action and to ascertain the efficacious doses of H. indicus. Moreover, H. indicus is not fully assessed on the basis of its safety and efficacy on human. We hope this review will compile and improve the existing knowledge on the potential utilization of H. indicus in complementary and alternative medicine.

Effect of saffron (stigma of Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract on ethanol toxicity in rats: A biochemical, histopathological and molecular study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is considered in the Iranian traditional medicine because of many therapeutic properties such as sedative agent, strengthen the stomach and liver, improving the uterus disorders and infectious wounds. The detoxification of alcohol was one of the most important of saffron effects in ancient medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the current research, the protective effects of saffron aqueous extract (Aq. Ext.) versus oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, histopathological and biochemical abnormalities induced by ethanol were evaluated.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups consisted of 6 rats in control (distilled water), ethanol (5 g/kg - 50% v/v), Aq. Ext. (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) plus ethanol, Aq. Ext. 80 and 160 mg/kg. Animals were treated for four weeks and at the end of treatment period, histopathological damages, biochemical markers, apoptosis, levels of MDA and GSH, TNF-α and IL-6 were evaluated.

RESULTS

Ethanol induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity as evidenced by histopathological damages and biochemical abnormalities. The level of MDA was significantly enhanced while GSH content was remarkably reduced in ethanol-treated rats, but protective groups restored them. Also, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were regulated by Aq. Ext. Furthermore, the effects of ethanol on histopathological and biochemical parameters were improved by Aq. Ext. The ethanol increased the expression of Bax/Bcl₂ ratio, caspase-3, -8, and -9. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis proved that Aq. Ext. treatment inhibited apoptosis induced by ethanol through decreasing the Bax/Bcl₂ ratio (mRNA and protein) and caspases-3, -8, and -9 levels in the kidney and liver.

CONCLUSION

The results of this research demonstrated that Aq. Ext. could exert protective effects against ethanol toxicity in rat kidney and liver via antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Delaying of cataract through intervention of Hemidesmus indicus in STZ induced diabetic rats

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. was extensively used as hypoglycaemic agent and significance of this plant on secondary complications of diabetes remained unknown. The present study was to investigate the anti-cataractous activity of H. indicus against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cataract in rodent model. Root extracts have been prepared and tested for inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase (AR) activity. In addition, its pharmacological potential has been investigated in STZ-induced diabetic cataract. Methanol extract of H. indicus-inhibited AR activity in vitro decreased the blood glucose levels, inhibited the AR activity and delayed the onset and progression of cataract in a dose-dependent manner in in vivo and the antioxidant markers have been normalised. Our results demonstrate that H. indicus has decrease the osmotic stress by inhibiting the AR activity and prevented the loss of antioxidants and delayed the progression of diabetic cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Acute and 4-week repeated-dose oral toxicity studies of Cirsium setidens in rats

Cirsium setidens is a wild perennial plant species found in Korea that may have anti-oxidative, anti-adipogenic, and hepatoprotective activities. However, details of the toxicology of C. setidens remain unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the toxicological effects of an acute administration and 4-week repeated dosing of a C. setidens extract in Sprague-Dawley rats to ensure the safe use of this extract. C. setidens (1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg body weight/day) did not induce significant toxicological changes in groups matched by gender with respect to mortality, clinical signs, body weight, urinalysis, ophthalmoscopy, necropsy findings, hematology, and histopathology. Therefore, this study demonstrates that acute administration and 4-week repeated dosing of C. setidens extract orally using this administration protocol is safe.

The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) root

The root of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., commonly known as Indian Sarsaparilla, is used traditionally to treat a wide variety of illnesses including rheumatism, leprosy, impotence, urinary tract and skin infections. The anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, renoprotective, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties of H. indicus have been investigated in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. Among these, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was well documented. This review details the phytochemistry and therapeutic applications of H. indicus root.

Naringenin modulates circulatory lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidant status and hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes in rats with ethanol induced liver injury

We have investigated the modulatory efficacy of naringenin on circulatory lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant status, hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes in rats with ethanol induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were divided into four groups: groups 1 and 2 received isocaloric glucose and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose; groups 3 and 4 received 20% ethanol equivalent to 6 g/kg body weight everyday for the total experimental period of 60 days. In addition, groups 2 and 4 were given naringenin (50 mg/kg) everyday for the last 30 days of the experiment. The results showed significantly elevated levels/activities of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), conjugated dienes (CD) and phase I enzymes, and significantly lowered the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and phase II enzymes in ethanol-fed rats as compared to those of the control. Supplementation with naringenin for the last 30 days of the experiment to ethanol-fed rats, significantly decreased the levels/activities of bilirubin, ALP, LDH, TBARS, LOOH, CD and phase I enzymes, and significantly elevated the activities of ADH, ALDH, SOD, CAT and phase II enzymes as compared to control rats. These findings suggest that naringenin can effectively modulate the hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes in rats with ethanol induced liver injury.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by extracts of Hemidesmus indicus and Acorus calamus

Administration of commonly used anticancer drug cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)] at pharmacologically relevant concentrations (12 mg/kg body weight) resulted in severe renal toxicity as evidenced from histopathological observations and biochemical alterations in the renal tissue. The extracts of medicinal plants Hemidesmus indicus L. (Apocynaceae) and Acorus calamus L. (Araceae) protected the renal tissue effectively from cisplatin-induced toxicity. Treatment of cisplatin-administered animals with the plant extracts could prevent the drug-induced oxidative damage in the renal tissue as evidenced from the decreased levels of lipid peroxidation and enhanced activities of the antioxidants in the renal tissue. Cisplatin treatment increased serum urea level to 41.3 +/- 2.86 mg/dL and administration of the extracts of H. indicus and A. calamus brought down the level to 34.54 +/- 0.37 and 30.12 +/- 0.95 mg/dL, respectively. Serum creatinine levels were increased to 1.1 +/- 0.02 mg/dL following cisplatin administration, and treatment with extracts of H. indicus and A. calamus brought this down to 0.76 +/- 0.09 and 0.61 +/- 0.06 mg/dL, respectively. The histopathological observations indicated that treatment with the H. indicus and A. calamus extracts restored the cisplatin-induced structural alterations in the renal tissue.

Beneficial effect of the administration of Hemidesmus indicus against bromobenzene induced oxidative stress in rat liver mitochondria

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the beneficial effect of the prior administration of an aqueous extract of Hemidesmus indicus against bromobenzene induced oxidative damage in rat liver mitochondria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Oxidative stress was induced in rats with bromobenzene (10 mmol/kg body wt.). The rate of respiration, P/O ratios, lipid peroxides, protein carbonyls and sulphydryls were studied.

RESULTS

When the rats were administered with bromobenzene, the rate of respiration was decreased significantly and the P/O ratio was completely abolished. There was a significant increase on the levels of lipid peroxide and protein carbonyl and a significant decrease on total sulphydryl groups when compared with control. Administration of rats with an aqueous extract (100mg/kg) prior to bromobenzene administration showed significant beneficial effects like, stimulation in respiration, prevented the rise in lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls, increased the level of sulphydryl groups back to control level. Administration of vitamin E could not reverse as effectively as Hemidesmus indicus.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a good protective effect of Hemidesmus indicus against the bromobenzene induced oxidative stress.