"Vernonia cinerea's role in CCl4-induced liver dysfunction in rats"
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF Vernonia cinerea IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION IN RATS
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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C. Gokilaveni, A. Nishadh, V. Selvi
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF Vernonia cinerea IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION IN RATS
Year: 2006
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing various foreign compounds entering the body, and the adverse effects of synthetic drugs can lead to liver dysfunction. There is a growing need for alternative treatments for liver diseases due to the inadequacy and safety concerns associated with conventional pharmaceuticals. Traditional medicine, especially within Ayurveda, has long utilized various plants for liver ailments. This study investigates the hepatoprotective effects of the herbal plant Vernonia cinerea, commonly known as sahadevi, against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Vernonia cinerea
The study focused on observing the impact of herbal powder derived from Vernonia cinerea leaves on CCl4-induced hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic injury was experimentally induced in Wistar albino rats through intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 diluted with liquid paraffin. The experimental groups included control, toxic, post-treatment, pre-treatment, and positive control groups. Results indicated that the liver enzyme activities—alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—were significantly altered in the toxic group when compared to the control. However, treatment with Vernonia cinerea in both post-treatment and pre-treatment groups led to a recovery in the enzyme activity levels, highlighting its potential hepatoprotective properties.
Conclusion
The findings of this study demonstrate that the herbal powder from Vernonia cinerea has a noteworthy hepatoprotective effect against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in albino rats. The ability of the herbal treatment to mitigate the leakage of liver enzymes back to near-normal levels suggests its therapeutic potential. Such results provide a promising insight into the utilization of traditional herbal medicines in managing liver disorders, aligning with the need for safer and effective alternatives to synthetic drugs.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the aim of the study on Vernonia cinerea?
The study aims to examine the hepatoprotective effects of herbal powder from Vernonia cinerea against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.
How was liver damage induced in the experimental rats?
Liver damage was induced in rats by administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) diluted in liquid paraffin oil at a dosage of 1 ml/kg body weight for two consecutive days.
What were the main findings regarding liver marker enzymes?
The study found that treatment with Vernonia cinerea significantly reduced liver marker enzyme activities, indicating its potential as a hepatoprotective agent against CCl4-induced liver damage.
What was the method for preparing the herbal powder?
The herbal powder was prepared by collecting, drying, and grinding whole Vernonia cinerea plants, then passing through a 40 mesh sieve for storage and future use in experiments.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for �"Vernonia cinerea's role in CCl4-induced liver dysfunction in rats"�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Drug:
The term 'Drug' refers to substances used for medical treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of diseases. In the context of the study, conventional drugs have limitations and are often ineffective for liver diseases. Therefore, the research investigates the potential of an herbal remedy, Vernonia cinerea, as an alternative therapeutic agent.
2) Water:
Water is a fundamental solvent and medium for biochemical reactions in living organisms. In this study, it is used to prepare herbal powder suspensions for administration to rats. The inclusion of water ensures proper solubility and bioavailability of the herbal preparations, facilitating their absorption and therapeutic activity in the body.
3) Post:
'Post' is used to denote a time period after a particular event. In the study, it refers to the 'post treated group' of rats, which received herbal powder after CCl4 administration. This designation is crucial for analyzing the efficacy of Vernonia cinerea’s hepatoprotective actions after toxic insult to the liver.
4) Science (Scientific):
Science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. In this study, the scientific method is applied to explore the hepatoprotective properties of Vernonia cinerea, contributing to knowledge in the fields of pharmacology and biochemistry related to liver health.
5) Medicine:
'Medicine' encompasses substances and practices used to treat or prevent illness. The research focuses on herbal medicines, particularly Vernonia cinerea, highlighting the integration of traditional knowledge into contemporary medical practices. The study aims to evaluate alternative medicinal therapies for liver dysfunction, emphasizing the role of plants in health care.
6) Activity:
'Activity' in this context refers to the biochemical actions or effects of substances. The study assesses the hepatoprotective activity of Vernonia cinerea against CCl4-induced liver damage by measuring the activity of liver marker enzymes. Understanding these activities can reveal the extent of protection and recovery facilitated by the herbal treatment.
7) Diet:
'Diet' refers to the kinds of food consumed by the experimental animals. In this study, rats were fed a standard pellet diet to ensure consistent nutritional intake, enabling accurate assessment of the effects of Vernonia cinerea. Proper dietary control is essential for reducing variability in experimental outcomes related to health.
8) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
'Accumulated' refers to the build-up of substances over time, particularly in biological systems. In this study, CCl4 is said to accumulate in hepatic cells, leading to liver damage. Understanding this accumulation process is critical to evaluating the protective effects of herbal treatments like Vernonia cinerea in mitigating hepatic injury.
9) Discussion:
In scientific research, 'Discussion' is the section where results are interpreted and contextualized. This part of the study examines the implications of findings related to the effects of Vernonia cinerea on liver enzymes. It frames the significance of the results in the broader landscape of alternative medicine and liver health.
10) Ayurveda (Ä€yurveda, Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine originating from India that emphasizes holistic health and the use of medicinal plants. The study references Ayurveda to establish the historical context for using Vernonia cinerea as a treatment for liver disorders, reinforcing the cultural importance of herbal remedies in health practices.
11) Sahadevi (Saha-devi, Sahadevī):
'Sahadevi' is the local name for Vernonia cinerea in Tamil, illustrating the plant's cultural significance in India. The use of the vernacular name connects this study to the local knowledge and recognition of the plant's medicinal properties, highlighting community ties to herbal medicine and traditional health care.
12) Blood:
'Blood' is a vital fluid that transports nutrients, oxygen, and metabolic waste in the body. In this study, liver marker enzymes such as ALT, AST, ACP, and ALP leak into the bloodstream due to liver damage. Measuring these enzymes in blood helps assess the extent of liver injury and recovery.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �"Vernonia cinerea's role in CCl4-induced liver dysfunction in rats"�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Vernonia cinerea, Statistical analysis, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatoprotective activity, Herbal powder, Carbon tetrachloride, Analytical grade, Positive control group, Experimental rats, Wistar strain, Liver marker enzymes, Biochemical estimation, Standard pellet diet, Post-treated group, Acetone.