Abstract:
Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is an asymptomatic disorder that
is characterized by the accumulation of excessive fat (triglyceride) in hepatocytes without
significant alcohol consumption. Novel herbal medicines are tested for NAFLD due to high
prevalence and lack of effective treatment. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a common model
used in studies on hepatotoxicity. A single dose of CCl4 at 1mL/kg is known to be responsible
for developing a centrilobular necrosis and fatty changes in rat liver. Alanine Transaminase
(ALT) is a better maker of steatosis in rats.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of a capsule made from Osbeckia octandra plant extract by
Fairway Biotech (Pvt) Ltd, against NAFLD in Wistar rats
Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats with elevated liver parameters were divided into two
groups (n = 6) and the test group was treated with Osbeckia octandra capsule (16.67 mg/kg)
for 14 days as a preliminary study to evaluate the effect of capsule on liver abnormality. In
proper study, thirty new male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). A single dose
of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight in 1:1 in olive oil) was used to induce NAFLD. Normal,
vehicle, disease control, therapeutic and preventive group were respectively treated with
distilled water, olive oil, only CCl4, CCl4-followed by capsule (7 days) and capsule (7 days)
followed by CCl4. Serum levels of transaminases (ALT, AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total protein were assessed on 1st, 7th and 10th day.
Results: Serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly reduced to normal level in
preventive and therapeutic (p <0.05) groups proving the efficacy of the tested capsule. Levels
of GGT too have reduced. Elevated ALP level is indication of bone mineralization of young
rats. No significant difference in total protein was observed.
Conclusion: Osbeckia octandra capsule exerts significant preventive and therapeutic effects
against NAFLD in Wistar rats.
