Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Three Hepatoprotective Plant Extracts on Diet Induced Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, in vivo Study

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health concern in Sri Lanka and globally. Exploring indigenous remedies like Osbeckia octandra, Atalantia ceylanica, and Vernonia cinerea, used in traditional Sri Lankan medicine for liver disorders, could benefit patients and add value to local resources. However, their potential in treating NAFLD remains unexplored. Objective: To assess the hepatoprotective potential of O. octandra, A. ceylanica and V. cinerea plant extracts through biochemical analysis in a mouse model of experimental NAFLD Methods: NAFLD was induced in 25 six-week-old ICR male mice with a High Fat Diet (HFD, orally, for 5 weeks). Then, the mice were divided into 5 equal groups (Group I-V, n=5). Group VI (n=5) was given a normal diet. Group I (disease control) and Group VI (negative control) were orally gavaged with an equivalent volume of distilled water. Groups II, III, and IV were given leaf extracts of O. octandra, V. cinerea, and A. ceylanica (at a dose of 500 mg/kg, orally). Group V was given atorvastatin (5 mg/kg, orally; positive control). Group I-V, HFD was continued during the treatment period. After 5 weeks, the mice were weighed, anesthetized with Isoflurane, and serum was collected via cardiac puncture. Biochemical parameters were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Results were expressed as mean±SEM and analysed by One-way ANOVA using SPSS software. Results: After five weeks of HFD, the initial average weight of 23.09 g increased to 33.48 g. After 10 weeks, Group I had the highest weight gain (40.9±8.2 g) and elevated serum levels of AST (192.0±12.5 IU/L), ALT (32.6±2.3 IU/L), cholesterol (259.4±37.2 mg/dL), and triglycerides (319.5±73.9 mg/dL). Group VI had the lowest weight gain (27.4±0.8 g) and low levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, and triglycerides (154.5±1.6 IU/L, 19.9±0.5 IU/L, 81.4±5.8 mg/dL, and 115.4±9.3 mg/dL, respectively). Groups II–V showed reduced levels in all parameters compared to Group I. The O. octandra treated group had significantly reduced (p<0.05) weight gain (30.2±2.1 g), serum AST (161.8±0.7 IU/L), ALT (18.9±0.8 IU/L), cholesterol (173.4±13 mg/dL), and triglycerides (183.5±17.6 mg/dL), with more significant reductions than other plant extracts. Conclusion: Among all three herbal plants O. Octandra showed a significant hepatoprotective activity against NAFLD. This will shed some light into inventing new therapeutics for NAFLD and value-addition to herbal medicines.