Augmentation of hepatoprotective potential of Aegle marmelos in combination with piperine in carbon tetrachloride model in wistar rats.

The current study investigated hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Aegle marmelos leaves extract. The major constituent present in the extract i.e. rutin was quantified by using HPLC. Further, the study explored hepatoprotective effect of A. marmelos (70% ethanol extract) in combination with piperine. The normal control and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) administered rats were divided into 7 groups. Hepatic damage biomarkers were determined in serum samples and oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined in liver homogenates. CCl₄ caused marked liver damage as evident by significant increased activities of serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, Interleukin 10 and Tumor necrosis factor-α levels compared to normal control. The oxidative stress parameters also significantly modulated in CCl₄ group as compared to normal control. Treatment with A. marmelos reduced the severity of toxicity in a dose dependent fashion and the results of A. marmelos extract 50 mg/kg group were comparable to silymarin group. The low dose of A. marmelos extract (25 mg/kg) per se did not significantly reversed the hepatotoxicity but low dose of A. marmelos in combination with piperine showed significant reversal of hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, A. marmelos exerts potential hepatoprotective activity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which was enhanced by co-treatment with piperine.