Evaluation of the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Phyllanthus fraternus against a chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide.

In the present study, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw), orally) were investigated against cyclophosphamide (CPA 200 mg/kg, bw, intraperitoneally administered) induced liver damage in mice. Histopathological studies of CPA administration cause liver injury, featuring substantial increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and total bilirubin. Moreover, CPA intoxication also causes strong oxidative stress, which is evident from significant increase in lipid peroxide level. These changes were coupled with a decline in superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as albumin, cholesterol level, red blood cell (RBC), and white blood cell (WBC) count. AEPF-treated mice displayed a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and augmentation of endogenous antioxidants. The study emphasizes the hepatoprotective effect of AEPF against CPA-induced oxidative liver injury, which may serve as a promising medicinal herb in complementary chemotherapeutic modalities.