Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn. seed extract

Conventional drugs used in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases are sometimes inadequate and can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to search for alternative drugs for the treatment of liver and kidney diseases in order to replace currently used drugs of doubtful efficacy and safety. Leaves of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is traditionally known for its liver and kidney protection. We have made an attempt to find out the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity on Phyllanthus amarus seeds. Hepato and nephrotoxicity was induced by thioacetamide (100 mg/kg s.c) and gentamycin (80 mg/kg i.p), respectively. Phyllanthus amarus seed extracts (70% methanolic 250 mg/kg and aqueous 300 mg/kg) were administered orally to Wistar rats. Hepatoprotection was assessed by measuring the biochemical parameters like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, direct bilurubin, triglycerides, cholesterol and histopathological changes in liver. Whereas nephroprotection was assessed by measuring serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and kidney weight. Histopathological analysis of liver samples also confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of the seeds, which was comparable to the standard silymarin. The results obtained in this study indicate that the methanolic extract has significant effect than aqueous extract when compared to silymarin and cystone, respectively. The mechanism involved in the protection could be associated with its strong capability to reduce the enhanced levels of above parameters. Hence, the Phyllanthus amarus seed possesses a potent protective effect against thioacetamide-induced hepatic damage, and gentamycin-induced renal damage.