Abstract

HYDROALCOHOLIC ROOT EXTRACT OF BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA AGAINST RIFAMPICIN INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Akshaya Reddy Palla, Sameera Begum, Tajuddin Shaik*, Tulasi Priya

ABSTRACT

Background: Boerhavia diffusa, a traditional medicinal plant, is recognized for its hepatoprotective properties attributed to its phytochemical constituents, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. With rifampicin, a widely used tuberculosis antibiotic, known to induce hepatotoxicity—a serious condition affecting the liver's crucial detoxification and metabolic roles—there is growing interest in natural remedies to mitigate such damage. Hydroalcoholic extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa have shown promise in preventing liver damage in animal studies, supporting its potential to counter rifampicin- induced hepatotoxicity. This study seeks to explore and expand the knowledge of Boerhaavia diffusa's hepatoprotective potential in addressing such liver damage. Objectives: And present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the hydroalcoholic root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa. To achieve this, the hydroalcoholic root extract was prepared using the hot Soxhlet extraction process. A preliminary phytochemical investigation was carried out to identify the bioactive compounds present in the extract. The study involved the use of [animal model] to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of the extract. Changes in body weight, liver weight, and biochemical parameters were evaluated, and histopathological studies were also conducted. Finally, the results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the significance of the findings. Materials and Methods: The study used hydroalcoholic root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, rifampicin, silymarin, and Wistar rats. Boerhaavia diffusa roots were collected, cleaned, dried, powdered, and extracted using a hydroalcoholic solvent. The extract was then subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to identify the presence of various bioactive compounds like carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, fats, and oils. Methods: The study used Wistar rats to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Boerhaavia diffusa root extract. Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity was used as a model. The extract was orally administered to treatment groups. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, including liver enzymes, creatinine, and albumin. The study assessed liver weight, liver enzyme activity, organ weight, and haematological parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using [statistical software] to determine significant differences between groups. Results: Histopathological examination revealed normal liver architecture in the control group. However, paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity resulted in severe damage, characterized by architectural disruption, congestion, hepatocyte degeneration, and inflammation. Both silymarin and the hydroalcoholic root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa demonstrated significant hepatoprotective effects. Silymarin markedly reduced inflammation and promoted hepatocyte regeneration, while the extract mitigated paracetamol-induced damage, including necrosis and inflammation. These findings suggest that the Boerhaavia diffusa extract possesses potent hepatoprotective properties, comparable to the standard drug silymarin.

Keywords: Rifampicin, Liver, Silymarin, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatoprotective, Hydroalcoholic root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa.