Hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid.
BACKGROUND
Tecomella undulata (TU;` Family Bignoniaceae) is used in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating various diseases including hepatic ailments. It is also incorporated in various marketed hepatoprotective polyherbal formulations.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed at evaluating possible hepatoprotective role of isolated compounds from TU stem bark (TSB) using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.


METHODS
In vitro cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential of various extract, fractions and isolated compounds from TU stem bark were evaluated using HepG2 cells. Rats were pre-treated with TU methanolic extract (TSB-7) or betulinic acid (MS-2) or silymarin for 7 days followed by a single dose of CCl(4) (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.). Plasma markers of hepatic damage, hepatic antioxidants and indices of lipid peroxidation along with microscopic evaluation of liver were assessed in control and treatment groups.


RESULTS
TSB-2 and MS-1 accounted for significant cell death whereas; TSB-1, TBS-7, TSB-9, TSB-10 and, MS-2 did not register significant cytotoxicity. Further, non-cytotoxic components exhibited ascending grade of hepatoprotection in vitro (TSB-10<TSB-1<TSB-7<TSB-9<MS-2). Pre-treatment of TSB-7 or MS-2 to CCl(4) treated rats prevented hepatocyte damage as evidenced by biochemical and histopathological observations.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that, hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid.
Pharmacognosy Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India. mjainms@yahoo.com
Mahendra
M
Jain
Rakhee
R
Kapadia
Ravirajsinh N
RN
Jadeja
Menaka C
MC
Thounaojam
Ranjitsinh V
RV
Devkar
S H
SH
Mishra
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029402:Bignoniaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D000094062:Betulinic Acid