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.
