Hepatoprotective Effect of Aerial Parts of Desmostachya bipinnata Against CCl4 Induced Liver Damage

Abstract

The human liver is exposed to high concentrations of toxicants and toxic metabolites during the process of metabolic detoxification, making it susceptible to injury. Liver damage is associated with cellular necrosis, an increase in tissue lipid peroxidation, and depletion of tissue GSH levels, among other factors. Herbs play a significant role in managing various liver disorders. In the present study, Desmostachya bipinnata aerial parts were subjected to soxhlet and cloud point extraction. Preliminary phytochemical identification was performed using chemical tests and TLC. Subsequently, the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of the extracts were assessed in a CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity model. Regarding soxhlet extraction, the alcoholic extract exhibited the highest extractive yield (20.00 ± 0.68% w/w), with phenols and flavonoids present at 10.92% w/w and 20.81% w/w, respectively. Among the eight cloud point extracts (CPE), CPE 8 showed the best results (temperature: 60°C, time: 2 hours, and Triton X-100 concentration: 5%), with a maximum extraction yield of 11.2 ± 01.26% w/w, flavonoids at 13.44% w/w, and phenols at 43.63% w/w.

Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids in different extracts of D. bipinnata. In the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity model, based on tissue and serum analysis, the order of hepatoprotective effect was found to be alcohol extract < chloroform extract < C.P.E < standard marketed formulation. The difference in activity among these extracts in reducing hepatotoxicity is likely attributed to the nature and quantity of phytoconstituents present in each extract. Further studies are planned to isolate and characterize the active constituent responsible for this activity.