Liposomal Drug Delivery of Leaf Extract: In-Vivo Hepatoprotective Effects.

BACKGROUND

() is a herbaceous plant commonly found in south-east Asia. It shows significant therapeutic activities against various diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate hepatoprotective effects of leaf extract and also to investigate the comparative effectiveness between a liposomal preparation and a suspension of leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver damage.

METHODS

leaf extract was characterized using a GC-MS method. A liposomal preparation of leaf extract was developed using an ethanol injection method and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electronic microscopic systems. The hepatoprotective effects of leaf extracts and its liposomal preparation were investigated using CCl-induced liver damage in Long Evan rats.

RESULTS

GC-MS data showed the presence of different components (e.g., phytol) in the leaf extract. DLS and microscopic data showed that a liposomal preparation of leaf extracts was in the nano size range. In vivo study results showed that liposomal preparation and a suspension of leaf extract normalized liver biochemical parameters, enzymes and oxidative stress markers which were elevated due to CCl administration. However, a liposomal formulation of leaf extract showed significantly better hepatoprotective effects compared to a suspension of leaf extract. In addition, histopathological evaluation showed that leaf extract and its liposomal preparation treatments decreased the extent of CCl-induced liver inflammations.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrated that leaf extract was effective against CCl-induced liver injury possibly due to the presence of components such as phytol. A liposomal preparation exhibited significantly better activity compared to a suspension, probably due to improved bioavailability and stability of the leaf extract.