AN OPTIMIZED HERBAL FORMULA DIMINISHES CCL4-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS BY INHIBITION OF LIPID PEROXIDATION AND P53-MEDIATED APOPTOSIS

Introduction: In this present study, the heaptoprotective effect of an optimized herbal formula (HF) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injuries in rats. Methods: In-vitro antioxidant activity of the HF was evaluated by reducing power, lipid peroxidation, and DPPH scavenging assays. Hepatoprotective activity of HF (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w) was evaluated against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. Serum enzymatic levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) were estimated along with an estimation of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and TBARS levels in liver tissues. The lipid profile was also examined. Furthermore, histopathological examination of the liver sections and p53 expression assay were performed to confirm and advocate the induction of hepatotoxicity as well as hepatoprotective efficacy. RESULTS: The HF exhibited strong in-vitro antioxidant activities in terms of reducing power, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and DPPH radical scavenging. HF restored the significantly elevated serum enzymatic levels of AST, ALT, ALP and γ-GT in a dose-dependent manner with maximum efficacy at 400 mg/kg dose level. The lipid profile was also found to be normalized. His to pathological observations as well as p53 expression assay did further confirmed the biochemical evidence of hepatoprotection. An elevated level of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), and reduced TBARS levels in liver tissues further reinforce the heaptoprotective revelations. Conclusions: The RESULTS clearly disclose the antioxidant activity and heaptoprotective activity of HF against CCl₄-induced hepatic damage in experimental animals