SYNERGISTIC ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF MURRAYA KOENIGII AND PLUMERIA RUBRA EXTRACTS ENHANCE HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFICACY AGAINST METHOTREXATE INDUCED LIVER INJURY

Objective: The present study was focussed on evaluating the hepatoprotective capacity of a combination of leaf extracts of  Murraya koenigii  and  Plumeria rubra  on drug-induced toxicity in mice liver. Methods: Hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared from the leaves of  Murraya koenigii  and  Plumeria rubra . A combination of these extracts was tested as a dual formulation (DF). The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity and phytochemical content. Healthy adult male mice were treated in five groups, for 30 d: Control (Group I-Untreated), Group II (Methotrexate at 10 mg/kg Body weight, intraperitoneally), Group III (Methotrexate+Silymarin), Group IV (Methotrexate+hydromethanolic extract of DF-250 mg/kg b.w., orally), Group V (Methotrexate+aqueous extract of the DF-250 mg/kg b.w. orally). After treatment, the animals were necropsied. Blood was collected for serum parameters such as alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and γ glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Further liver function tests like Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Phosphorylase as well as Oxidative stress parameters like Lipid peroxidation (LPO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), along with the liver protein and cholesterol content were analyzed. Results : Administration of both the DF extracts significantly ameliorated the methotrexate-induced toxic effects on all the aforementioned biochemical parameters. The hydromethanolic extract showed significant recovery in the liver function tests like ALT (p<0.05) and AST (p<0.001). Antioxidant stress enzymes like SOD (p<0.001) and Catalase (p<0.001) also showed significant recovery after administration of both the extracts. The other parameters assayed also followed the same trend. Although both the extracts showed remarkable hepatoprotection, the hydromethanolic extract was found to be significantly more potent than the aqueous extract. Conclusion : The present study concludes that the Dual formulation of the extracts of Murraya koenigii and Plumeria rubra could be an effective hepatoprotective agent due to the synergistic action of the phytoconstituents of both the plants.