Protective Effect of Polyherbal Formulation, Against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of a polyherbal syrup formulation containing extracts of Tridax procumbens Linn. Piper betal, Cichorium intybus, Moringa olifera, and Chrysanthum indicum against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by i.p. injection of CCl4 (50% CCl4/olive oil; 2 mL/kg) 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Polyherbal syrup (PHS) or Silymarin was administered along with CCl4 and the biochemical parameters like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated. Furthermore, biomarkers of oxidative stress such as MDA levels, Glutathione contents, SOD and catalase activity, proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 levels in liver tissue were estimated. Results: Treatment with polyherbal syrup significantly (P<0.001) reduced the elevated levels of AST, ALT and ALP as compared to CCl4 control rats. The treatment with PHS also showed a significant increase in glutathione contents, SOD and catalase activity and a decrease in MDA, proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 levels as compared to CCl4 control rats.  Conclusion: The finding of present study indicates that polyherbal syrup formulation showed a protective effect against CCl4-induced liver injury. These results support the traditional use of Tridax procumbens Linn. Piper betal, Cichorium intybus, Moringa olifera, and Chrysanthum indicum in the treatment of liver disorders. Our findings confirm that the formulation was found to be effective pharmacologically at higher dose against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxic models and were comparable to that of Silymarin.