Protective activity of phyllanthin in ethanol-treated primary culture of rat hepatocytes

Aim of the study: To investigate the protective effect of phyllanthin (a known principal constituent of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn.) on ethanol-induced rat liver cell injury. Materials and methods: Primary culture of rat hepatocytes (24 h culturing) were pretreated with phyllanthin (1, 2, 3 and 4 mu g/ml) for 24 h. After 24 h pretreatment, cells were treated with ethanol (80 mu l/ml) for 2 h. Results: Ethanol decreased %MTT, increased the release of transaminases (ALT and AST) with the increase in the production of intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation. Phyllanthin demonstrated its role in protection by antagonizing the above effect induced by ethanol. Phyllanthin also restored the antioxidant capability of rat hepatocytes including level of total glutathione, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) which were reduced by ethanol. Conclusions: These results suggested the hepatoprotective effect of phyllanthin against ethanol-induced oxidative stress causing rat liver cell damage through its antioxidant activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.