Anti fibrotic effect of ethanolic extract of Cyclea peltata (H.F and T) roots, on carbon tetrachloride induced liver fibrosis

This is a pilot study conducted to crack down the complexity of Liver fibrosis using polarity based fractionation of root extracts of Cyclea peltata (H.F and T), against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced in-vivo liver fibrosis in male Albino Wister rats (150-200gms). Liver fibrosis is characterized by proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and excessive deposition of extra cellular matrix (ECM), which is a characteristic feature in the early stage of cirrhosis and further progresses to hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, fibrosis was induced by administering 20% CCl₄ at a dose of 1ml/kg of body weight, twice per week for 28 days, mixed with an equal volume of corn oil. The extent of hepatic injury was assessed by the level of biological markers like hydroxyproline, serum level of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin along with histopathological studies. The inference showed that a significant level of cell repairing has occurred after treating with alcoholic fraction of C. peltata (100 mg/kg body weight) orally. When compared with that of treatment controls, there was significant reduction in the hydroxyproline level, various serum enzymes level (AST, ALT and ALP) and total bilirubin concentration. Also the architecture of liver deranged by CCl₄ showed improvement following the administration of extract. These observations confirm the antifibrotic effect of the plant.