title: Hepatoprotective effect of the solvent extracts of Viola canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. against CCl4induced toxicity through antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Viola canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. exhibits analgesic, antimalarial and antispasmodic activities. It is used folklorically for the treatment of liver diseases, hypertension, malaria and cancer. The current study investigates phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of solvent extracts of whole plant of Viola canescens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phytochemicals, acute toxicity study and antioxidant activity of Viola canescens methanolic extract (VCME), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and partially purified EAF (90% EAF and combination of 80% EAF + 20% methanol fraction (EAF + Me) was carried out. Hepatoprotective activity of VCME, EAF (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and partially purified EAF (50 mg/kg body weight) was investigated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated BALB/c mice for 7 days. Membrane stabilization effect was determined by hypotonic solution induced hemolysis while DNA ladder assay was carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical screening of VCME showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, tannins and triterpenes. VCME, EAF (at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and partially purified EAF (90% EAF and EAF + Me) at 50 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the level of ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and restored the level of serum protein in comparison to CCl4treated group. A significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevation in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was observed in extract treated animals as compared to CCl4(p < 0.05). The IC50values in membrane stabilization potential for VCME, EAF and sodium salicylate were 3.7 ± 0.11, 3.4 ± 0.15 and 3.2 ± 0.09 mg/ml, respectively. Similarly, CCl4induced degradation of DNA was counteracted by VCME and EAF. The liver biopsy of mice treated with the solvent extracts showed remarkable restoration of normal histological archeitecture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Viola canescens showed significant hepatoprotective potential due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilization effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan.
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan. mirazam786@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mir Azam
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6685-6472
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Waqar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Manzoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nisar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D032413:Viola / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity; Hepatoprotective; Viola canescens