Evaluation of Antihepatotoxic Potential of Helminthostachys zeylanica (Linn.) Hook. f., a Medicinal Fern against Ethanol Induced Liver Damage: In vitro and In vivo Studies

Helminthostachys zeylanica (Linn.) Hook. F (Ophioglossaceae), locally known as “Pazhutharakali” is a medicinal pteridophyte, used traditionally for the treatment of jaundice in India. In the present study, the ethanolic extract of H. zeylanica rhizome (HZ) was used for in vitro and in vivo evaluation of its antihepatotoxicity. In vitro primary rat hepatocyte culture studies with HZ+Ethanol showed significant hepatoprotection as evidenced by increased cell viability, lowering of hepatic enzyme levels (Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST). In vitro FeCl2–ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation studies revealed the free radical scavenging effect of HZ. In vivo ethanol induced hepatotoxicity studies with HZ in wistar rats substantiates the above results as indicated by decreased levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total cholesterol (TC), total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), iron, (Fe) and copper (Cu) in serum. HZ treatment could also reduce liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels along with the enhancement in glutathione (GSH) levels. The histopathological studies of liver samples also supported the biochemical findings, confirming its antihepatotoxic property. Total phenolic content of HZ was estimated as 95.78mg/g. Thus the observed hepatoprotective action of H. zeylanica may be due to its antioxidant activity as indicated by decreased lipid peroxidation via increased glutathione levels, thereby hastening the elimination of ethanol and acetaldehyde from the blood. The results of the current investigation thus indicated good correlation between the in vivo and in vitro studies and also substantiate its traditional claim for hepatoprotection.