title: Hibiscus vitifolius (Linn.) root extracts shows potent protective action against anti-tubercular drug induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The roots of Hibiscus vitifolius Linn. (Malvaceae) is used for the treatment of jaundice in the folklore system of medicine in India. This study is an attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the roots of Hibiscus vitifolius against anti-tubercular drug induced hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino rats of either sex by oral administration of a combination of three anti-tubercular drugs. Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of roots of Hibiscus vitifolius (400mg/kg/day) were evaluated for their possible hepatoprotective potential.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the extracts were found to be safe up to a dose of 2000mg/kg. Among the four extracts studied, oral administration of methanol extract of Hibiscus vitifolius at 400mg/kg showed significant difference in all the parameters when compared to control. There was a significant (P<0.001) reduction in the levels of serum aspartate amino transaminase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, total and direct bilirubin, where as an increase was found in the levels of total cholesterol, total protein and albumin. Liver homogenate studies showed a significant increase in the levels of total protein, phospholipids and glycogen, and a reduction in the levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol against control animals. In the tissue anti-oxidant studies, we found a significant increase in the levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase, whereas there was marked reduction in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, as compared to control. Histology of liver sections of the animals treated with the extracts showed significant reduction of necrosis and fatty formation when compared with control specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the root extracts of Hibiscus vitifolius have potent hepatoprotective activity, thereby justifying its ethnopharmacological claim.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, KPJ International University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Lot PT 17010, Persian Seriemas, Nilai, Malaysia. anbujsunil@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anbu Jeba Sunilson John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Syam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Dinesh Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chellappan
authors.forename: Anandarajagopal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalusalingam
authors.forename: Saraswathi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ariamuthu
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002725:Chloroform / Q000737:chemistry; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D000975:Antioxidants; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D002725:Chloroform; C004544:naphtha; D000432:Methanol