Hepatoprotective potential of Anagallis arvensis (L.) extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury and oxidative stress in rabbits.

Anagallis arvensis L. has several health benefits, such as it is an effective remedy for epileptic disorders, leprosy, rheumatism, and hepatic and renal dysfunctions. However, scientific evidence of the plant against liver disease is not reported so far. Thus, the aim of the present study was to highlight the hepatoprotective and hepatocurative effect of extract on hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The extract was investigated for its effect on hematological parameters, liver enzymes regulation, and anti-oxidant markers (SOD & CAT). In addition, histopathological investigations were performed. This extract displayed significant reversion of WBCs, RBCs, platelets count, hemoglobin, ALT, AST, ALP and albumin levels towards the normal level as compared with control. Therefore, there was significant rise in level of SOD and CAT in both groups (hepatocurative and protective). Furthermore, histological investigation demonstrated the preventive effect. The presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, phenolic compounds, tannins and saponins in the extract was confirmed by the preliminary phytochemical studies. Thus, based on all these facts, it can be concluded that Anagallis arvensis extract has restorative capability against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and could be used as the hepatocurative and hepatoprotective agent, which could be attributed to the reported secondary metabolites.

Traditional medicines of plant origin used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Pakistan: A review.

OBJECTIVE: To pool data on ethnobotanical medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Pakistan. METHODS: We reviewed 237 research publications based on data from the six provinces in Pakistan (Punjab = 85, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa = 65, Sindh = 15, Balochistan = 8, Gilgit Baltistan = 22, Azad Jammu and Kashmir = 42) published until June 2015 in various journals. This was achieved using seven online databases: ScienceDirect, Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, and MEDLINE. Data were analyzed from different perspectives. RESULTS: People from Pakistan made use of 371 plant species belonging to 263 genera and 99 families for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Plants from the Asteraceae family were used most often. Herbs were the dominant growth form. Leaves were the plant parts used most often. Decoctions were the main preparation method. Nine plant species were used most frequently in the dwellers of most regions of Pakistan. A total of 111 plants were shown experimentally to have neither anti-arthritic nor anti-inflammatory activities, and 148 plant species were threatened. Eighty-four species had commercial importance. Twelve plant species were imported, and 25 plant species were exported, from Pakistan. CONCLUSION: This review provides baseline data for plant species in Pakistan that have potential anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activities.