Hepatoprotective activity of Phyllanthus niruri Linn. endophytes

Abstract

Abstract Background The liver is the vital organ which plays a major role in metabolism with numerous functions in the human beings such as protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. Present research work is focused on hepatoprotective potential of chloroform (PNFC) and ethyl acetate (PNFEA) endophytic fractions from Phyllanthus niruri Linn. against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. To test our hypothesis, both endophytic fungal fractions were tested for vitro antioxidant and in vivo hepatoprotective activity. Serum biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGOT, SALP, cholesterol, bilirubin, and protein were estimated to assess hepatoprotective activity. Results Group of rats treated with CCl4 possess marked hepatic damage and oxidative stress which indicates that cellular leakage and loss of functional integrity of cell membrane in liver. PNFC and PNFEA fractions of endophyte from Phyllanthus niruri Linn. stem have significantly reduced the elevated levels of biomarkers like SGPT, SGOT, SALP, bilirubin, cholesterol, and total protein in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The results obtained confirm hepatoprotective activity of endophytic fractions (PNFC and PNFEA) mediated through the stabilization of plasma membrane, repair of hepatic tissue damage, return of biochemical marker levels to normal, and regeneration of hepatocytes. Histopathological observations revealed improvement in the liver architecture after the treatment of secondary metabolites of endophytic fractions against CCl4-induced liver damage. Both fungal endophytes PNFC and PNFEA showed DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 of 97.79 μg/ml and 108.40 μg/ml, respectively, and possess antioxidant potential. Presence of flavonoids in the both fractions of endophytes may be a possible reason for its antioxidant potential and identified as Eurotium amstelodami strain. Conclusion Both fungal endophytes PNFC and PNFEA possess hepatoprotective potential due to the presence of secondary metabolites of fungi, i.e., Eurotiumam stelodami strain which support the claim endophytes and act as a potent biomedicine for treatment of various chronic diseases.