kutkin and Cholestasis

Picroliv, the active constituent isolated from the plant Picrorhiza kurroa, was evaluated as a hepatoprotective agent against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Alcohol feeding (3.75 g/kg x45 days) produced 20-114% alteration in selected serum (AST, ALT and ALP) and liver markers (lipid, glycogen and protein). Further, it reduced the viability (44-48%) of isolated hepatocytes (ex vivo) as assessed by Trypan blue exclusion and rate of oxygen uptake. Its effect was also seen on specific alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (aldehyde dehydrogenase, 41%; acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, 52%) in rat hepatocytes. The levels of these enzymes were found to be reduced in the cells following alcohol intoxication. Ethyl alcohol also produced cholestasis (41-53%), as indicated by reduction in bile volume, bile salts and bile acids. Picroliv treatment (3-12 mg/kg p.o. x45 days) restored the altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner (36-100%).

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Bile; Bile Acids and Salts; Cells, Cultured; Cholestasis; Cinnamates; Ethanol; Glycosides; Liver; Male; Oxygen; Rats; Vanillic Acid

Picroliv showed a dose (3-12 mg/kg, po for 7 days) dependent choleretic activity as evidenced by increase in bile flow and its contents (bile salts and bile acids). Significant anticholestatic activity was also observed against carbon tetrachloride induced cholestasis in conscious rat, anaesthetized guinea pig and cat. Picroliv was more active than the known hepatoprotective drug silymarin.

Topics: Animals; Bile Acids and Salts; Carbon Tetrachloride; Cats; Cholestasis; Cinnamates; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glycosides; Guinea Pigs; Male; Plant Extracts; Rats; Silymarin; Vanillic Acid

Picroliv, the hepatoprotective principle of the plant Picrorhiza kurroa, showed a dose-dependent (1.5-12 mg/kg x 7) choleretic effect in conscious rats and anaesthetised guinea pigs. It also possessed a marked anticholestatic effect against paracetamol- and ethynylestradiol-induced cholestasis. It antagonised the changes in bile volume as well as the contents (bile salts and bile acids). Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent, was tested simultaneously for comparison. Picroliv was found to be a more potent choleretic and anticholestatic agent than silymarin.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Animals; Cholagogues and Choleretics; Cholestasis; Cinnamates; Female; Glycosides; Guinea Pigs; Male; Molecular Structure; Rats; Silymarin; Vanillic Acid