Hepatoprotective Activity of Osbeckia octandra Capsule against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats

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.