Modulation of Kupffer cell activity by Tinospora cordifolia in liver damage.
Kupffer cells are major determinants of outcome of liver injury. Their activity was therefore studied in a model of chronic liver disease. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia, an indigenous agent with proven hepatoprotective activity, was evaluated on Kupffer cell function, using carbon clearance test as a parameter. Rats were divided into two major groups. In Gp I which served as normal control t1/2 of carbon was 9.48 +/- 4.14 min. GpII received horse-serum in a dose of 0.5 ml/100 gm b.w. i.p. for a period of 12 weeks and was divided into three sub-groups. In Gp IIA at the end of 12 weeks half-life of carbon was found to be significantly increased to 19.86 +/- 7.95 min (p < 0.01). Indicating suppressed Kupffer cell function in chronic liver damage. In Gp IIB treated with vehicle for 4 more weeks there was significant prolongation of half-life to 38.32 +/- 10.61 min (p < 0.01), indicating perpetuation of damage in absence of damaging agent. Whereas in Gp IIc, treated with Tinospora cordifolia t 1/2 was decreased to 14.24 7.74 min (p < .01), as compared to vehicle control indicating a significant improvement in Kupffer cell function and a trend towards normalization.
Nagarkatti
D S
DS
Dept of Pharmocology, Seth GS Medical College, Parel, Bombay.
Rege
N N
NN
Desai
N K
NK
Dahanukar
S A
SA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats
D002244:Carbon