The Antiulcer and Hepatoprotective Effects of Euphorbia hirta Petroleum Ether, Chloroform and Ethanolic Extracts on Paracetamol-induced Ulcerated Wistar Rats

Abstract

Hepatic and gastric diseases are two of the most common ailments in people. Numerous researches have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal remedies in the treatment of hepatitis and stomach ulcers. The study aimed to determine the antiulcer and hepatoprotective activities of Euphorbia hirta petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanolic extracts on paracetamol-induced ulcerated Wistar rats. Euphorbia hirta was collected from the area of Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. The air-dried whole plant was crushed, and 500 g of the powder and petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol were used for continuous extraction by the Soxhlet device. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was done by conventional and GC-MS analysis. Nine sets of six male Wistar rats, each weighing between 150 and 200 g, were used in this study. The standard control group, Group I, received only 1% v/v tween 80. Group II, negative control, received saline (1ml/kg p.o.). Group III animals were given silymarin (200 mg/kg p.o.) and paracetamol (2g/kg), which served as the standard of care. Animals in groups IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX received two separate doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) of petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia hirta L. Liver tissue was taken for histological investigation and placed in a 10% formalin solution. The liquid supernatant of liver cells was used to measure antioxidant parameters, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and LPO. Phytochemical and GC-MS examination confirmed Euphorbia hirta extracts to have different biologically active phytoconstituents, like alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenolic, flavonoids, tannin, sterols and alkaloids. Euphorbia hirta has been found to significantly protect against paracetamol-induced ulcer and hepatotoxicity compared to the negative control. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in SGPT, SGOT, ALP, DB and TB levels in the EEEH 400mg/kg extract-treated group was observed compared to the paracetamol group. The PEEH extract exhibited no significant decrease in all biochemical parameters compared to the negative control. However, the standard drug showed a significant (p<0.001) decrease when compared to the negative control. SGPT, ALP, and DB levels demonstrated a significant (p<0.01) reduction with EEEH 200mg/kg. The PEEH extract induced no significant decrease in all biochemical parameters compared to the negative control, and the chloroform extract of 200mg/kg showed a less significant (p< 0.05 & p<0.01) difference compared to the negative control. The histopathology study confirmed EEEH 200mg/kg to show good hepatoprotective activity. The findings have demonstrated Euphorbia hirta ethanolic extract to have effective antiulcer capabilities, and a decrease in LPO activity along with an increase in SOD, CAT, and LPO content have been observed, thereby leading to reduced oxidative stress. The antioxidant activity of Euphorbia hirta extract as a free radical scavenger and the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract have been indicated by the results of liver enzymes, DB and TB, and histology of liver tissue. More research is needed to recommend Euphorbia hirta as an effective supplement to treat paracetamol-induced ulcers and hepatotoxicity.