AASCIT Journal of Biosciencearticle.aascit.org/file/pdf/9070809.pdf2016/02/26 · AASCIT Journal of Bioscience 2015; 1(5): 103-110 104 2001). This has triggered off extensive research

AASCIT Journal of Bioscience

2015; 1(5): 103-110

Published online February 26, 2016 (http://www.aascit.org/journal/bioscience)

ISSN: 2381-1250 (Print); ISSN: 2381-1269 (Online)

Keywords Total Cholesterol (T-CHOL),

Triglyceride (TG),

Low Density Lipoprotein

Cholesterol (LDL-CHOL),

High Density Lipoprotein

Cholesterol (HDL-CHOL) and

Hepatotoxicity

Received: December 29, 2015

Revised: January 14, 2015

Accepted: January 16, 2015

Effect of Aqueous Whole Plant Extract of Selaginella myosurus on Lipid Profile of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Omeodu S. I., Peters D. E.*, Erameh J. A.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State,

Nigeria

Email address [email protected] (Peters D. E.)

Citation Omeodu S. I., Peters D. E., Erameh J. A. Effect of Aqueous Whole Plant Extract of Selaginella

myosurus on Lipid Profile of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats.

AASCIT Journal of Bioscience. Vol. 1, No. 5, 2015, pp. 103-110.

Abstract The study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous whole plant extract of

selaginella myosurus on lipid profile of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced

hepatotoxicity in wistar rats. Fifty two (52) wistar rats of both sexes weighing 150-175g

(±4g/group) were divided into thirteen groups. Group 1 received distil water only, 2 and

3 received CCl4 only, 4-7 received varying doses of 400 and 800mg/kgbw of extract, 8-

11 received varying doses of 400 and 800mg/kgbw of extract after CCl4 treatment and 12

and 13 received 100mg/kgbw of vitamin C after treating with CCl4 for 7 and 14 days.

Rats were sacrificed and blood sample collected for determination of total cholesterol (T-

CHOL), triglyceride (TG), low and high density lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-CHOL

and HDL-CHOL) levels. Liver was collected for histological investigation while

phytochemical screening was conducted on the plant. Result revealed significant

increases (p<0.05) in the levels of T-CHOL and LDL-CHOL and non significant

differences (p>0.05) for HDL-CHOL and TG when groups 2 and 3 were compared to

group 1.Groups 4-8 showered non significant differences (p>0.05) when compared to

group 1 in all the parameters. T-CHOL, TG and HDL-CHOL levels non significantly

varied (p>0.05) in groups 9-13 when compared to group 1.Significant increase (p<0.05)

was observed in LDL-CHOL level for groups 8-11 and 13 when compared to group 1.

Quantitative phytochemical screening of plant revealed the presence of flavonoids,

triterpenoids, saponins, tannin, steroid, cardiac glycoside, phenol in decreasing order

(32.19 ± 0.23-13.10± 0.11) and absence of alkaloids, anthraquinone and cyanogenic

glycosides. Histopatology of liver tissue revealed regeneration of necrotized hepatocytes

tissues in dose and time dependent manner. In conclusion, aqueous whole plant extract

of selaginella myosurus corrected lipid abnormality resulting from CCl4-induced liver

damage.

1. Introduction

The central role played by liver in the clearance and transformation of chemicals

exposes it to toxic injury (Saukkonen et al., 2006). Many of the modern drugs mainly

based on synthetic chemical compounds used in the management of hepatic injury and

toxicity have been found to have harmful side effects on human system (King& Perry,

AASCIT Journal of Bioscience 2015; 1(5): 103-110 104

2001). This has triggered off extensive research and

development in the field of herbal medicine. In fact there is a

growing demand for herbal medicine in most of the

developed and developing countries of the world today

(Handa et al., 1999). The liver performs more than 500 vital

metabolic functions (Gray & Lewis, 2005; Saukkonen et al.,

2006; Naruse et al., 2007). It is involved in the synthesis of

products like glucose derived from glycogenesis, plasma

proteins, clotting factors and urea that are released into the

bloodstream. Although most cells of the body metabolize fat,

certain aspects of fat metabolism occur mainly in the liver

(Robert et al., 2009). Specific functions of the liver in fat

metabolism, as follows: Oxidation of fatty acids to supply

energy for other body functions, Synthesis of large quantities

of cholesterol, phospholipids, and most lipoproteins,

Synthesis of fat from proteins and carbohydrates. To derive

energy from neutral fats, the fat is first split into glycerol and

fatty acids; then the fatty acids are split by beta-oxidationinto

two-carbon acetyl radicals that form acetyl coenzyme

A(acetyl-CoA). This can enter the citric acid cycle and be

oxidized to liberate tremendous amounts of energy. Beta-

oxidation can take place in all cells of the body, but it occurs

especially rapidly in the hepatic cells. The liver itself cannot

use all the acetyl-CoA that is formed; instead, it is converted

by the condensation of two molecules of acetyl-CoA into

acetoacetic acid, a highly soluble acid that passes from the

hepatic cells into the extracellular fluid and is then

transported throughout the body to be absorbed by other

tissues. These tissues reconvert the acetoacetic acid into

acetyl-CoA and then oxidize it in the usual manner. Thus, the

liver is responsible for a major part of the metabolism of fats.

About 80 per cent of the cholesterol synthesized in the liver

is converted into bile salts, which are secreted into the bile;

the remainder is transported in the lipoproteins and carried by

the blood to the tissue cells everywhere in the body (Robert

et al., 2009). The liver synthesizes lipoprotein Phospholipids

are likewise synthesized in the liver and transported

principally in the lipoproteins. Both cholesterol and

phospholipids are used by the cells to form membranes,

intracellular structures, and multiple chemical substances that

are important to cellular function. Almost all the fat synthesis

in the body from carbohydrates and proteins also occurs in

the liver. After fat is synthesized in the liver, it is transported

in the lipoproteins to the adipose tissue to be stored (Robert

et al., 2009). An excess of chemicals hinders the production

of bile thus leading to the body’s inability to flush out the

chemicals through waste. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum of

the liver is the principal ‘metabolic clearing house’ for both

endogenous chemicals like cholesterol, steroid hormones,

fatty acids and proteins, and exogenous substances like drugs

and alcohol. The predominant type of liver diseases varies

according to country and may be influenced by local factors.

The causative factors of liver disorders include virus

infection exposure to our consumption of certain chemicals.

The substance that injures the liver cells in some people and

results serious harm to the liver caused by drugs and by the

combination of drugs and other substances is an important

health problem. Treatment options for common liver diseases

such as cirrhosis, fatty liver and chronic hepatitis are

problematic. The effectiveness of treatment such as

interferon colchicine, penicillamine and corticosteroid are

inconsistent at best and incidence of side effect is profound

through the treatment is worse than the disease. Physician

and patients are in need of effective therapeutic agents with

low incidents of side effect. There are few effective

therapeutic agents with low incident of side effects. There are

few effective plants that cure liver diseases so considerable

interest has developed in the examination of these numerous

plants remedies which are useful in liver diseases

(Thyagarajan et al., 2002). Selaginella myosurus is a shrub

that can be found on a terrestrial habitat, on rocks, or rarely

hemiepiphytic or epiphytic. Its stems can prostrate, creeping,

decumbent, cespitose, climbing, or fully erect, articulate or

not and greatly branched. Rhizophores is usually present,

stout or filiform (Lin et al., 1987; Gayathri et al., 2005).

Selaginella has been prescribed in traditional medicine of

China and India, which has been thousands of years old. The

utilization of these medicinal plants was also done by various

other cultures, although generally limited to specific species.

Selaginella can be found in the pharmacopoeia in Asia,

Africa and Latin America, but not found in Europe and North

America (Duke et al., 2002). Selaginella traditionally used to

treat several diseases such as: injury, treatment of post-

childbirth, cancer, skin diseases, headaches, fever, respiratory

infections, urinary tract infections, menstrual disorders, liver

disorders, fractures and arthritis. The parts used are all parts

of the plants, although sometimes they are called only a

leaf.A whole plant maceration of selaginella myosurus is

used to treat headache in South-west region of Cameroon

(Jiofacket al., 2010). Selaginella is useful to treat wounds,

menstrual disorders and for treatments before, during, and

after giving birth, and to improve fitness and endurance of

the body (tonic). In Gabon, a decoction of the stem and

leaves of Selaginella myosurus is used for rituals or for other

cultural aspects (Sassen& Wan, 2006). Selaginella species

contain powerful inhibitor compounds which may act as

primary antioxidants that react with free radicals. The

scavenging effects of selected four Selaginella species are as

follows:

Selaginellainvolvens>Selaginellaintermedia>Selaginellatene

ra>Selaginellainaequalifolia. Sivaraman et al. reported that

all the selected four species of Selaginella contain powerful

inhibitor compounds which may act as primary antioxidants

that react with free radicals (Sivaramanet al., 2013). As in

selected Selaginella species, the crude extracts of few other

pteridophytes have already been reported to exhibit strong

scavenging activities (Huanget al., 2003; Haunget al., 2005;

Zhongxiang et al., 2007; Lai & Lim, 2011). Hagerman et al.

have reported that the high molecular Ferric reducing

antioxidant power (FRAP) value (Hagerman et al., 2007).

The reductive ability of the Selaginella species that was

assessed by Sivaraman et al. suggests that all the extracts

105 Omeodu S. I. et al.: Effect of Aqueous Whole Plant Extract of Selaginella myosurus on Lipid Profile of Carbon

Tetrachloride (CCl4) - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

were able to donate electron. Hence, they should be able to

donate electrons to free radicals in actual biological or food

systems also, making the radicals stable. According to Oktay

et al. a highly positive relationship between total phenolics

and antioxidant activity appears to be the trend in many plant

species (Oktay et al., 2003). Sivaraman et al. found out that

ethanolic extracts of different Selaginella species possess

significant antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.

Previously Gayathri et al. studied the antioxidant properties

of Selaginellainvolvens, Selaginelladelicatula and

Selaginellawightii from the wild and tested the in vitro and in

vivo lipid peroxidation, immunomodulatory property and

hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (Gayathri et al., 2005).

They reported that the aqueous extract of Selaginella

involvens has promising thymus growth stimulatory activity

in adult mice and remarkable antilipid peroxidation property.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Apparatus/Equipment

Spectrophotometer (BSA 3000), SFRI France, Rotary

evaporator, Centrifuge (Universal laboratory century),

Hettich Zentrifugen, Metlar weighing balance, SIEMENS

Advia 2120 Automated Analyzer

2.2. Reagents/Chemicals

All reagents and chemicals are of analytical grade.

2.3. Collection/Identification of Plant

Selaginellamyosurus was collected in the surrounding bush

of the University of Port Harcourt in Choba community of

Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state. A

voucher specimen (UPH-NO.C-129) was authenticated by a

botanist, Dr. N. L. Edwin-Nwosu and deposited at the

herbarium unit of the Department of Plant Science and

Biotechnology (PSB), University of Port Harcourt.

2.4. Extract Preparation

The whole plant of Selaginella myosurus was washed with

running tap water and air dried for 2 weeks before grinding

into powdered form. The coarsely powdered plant material

was macerated in a maceration jar for 24hours, with distilled

water. Filtration was done in a glass funnel which was placed

in a retort stand, using a Whatman filter paper. The filtrate

was allowed to stand for about 1-2 hours to observe any

residue or sediment. The filtrate was put in a rotary

evaporator which separated the water from the extract,

leaving the extract in a paste form which was poured into a

crucible plate and dried on a steam bath at 40°C to 50°C. The

crude extract was stored in a refrigerator pending usage.

2.5. Phytochemical Screening

Phytochemical screening of the whole plant of Selaginella

myosurus was done using standard procedure as described by

Sofoware (1993) in the Department of Pharmacognosy,

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt.

2.6. Source of Animals

A total of fifty two (52) wistar rats of both sexes weighing

between 150g-175g were purchased from an animal breeding

facility in Choba community, and were kept in the

Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt

Animal House, Choba park for one week acclimatization.

The rats were fed with normal rat feed and water ad libitum.

2.7. Lethal Dose (LD50) Determination

LD50 determinationwas done using an “up-and-down”

procedure described by Bruce, (1985). Three doses of

1000mg/kg, 3000mg/kg, and 5000mg/kg were orally

administered to 3 groups of rats (n=2 rats per group). The rats

were observed for 24hours and for a period of 1 week. No

death was recorded; therefore, safe doses of 400,600, 800 and

1000mg/kgBW were selected.

2.8. Experimental Design

The rats were divided into thirteen (13) groups (n=4rats).

GROUP 1: (Control): 0.5ml of distilled water was orally

given to the animals in this group dailyfor 14 days.

GROUP 2: A single dose of 120mg/kg b.w of CCl4

administered intraperitoneally to rats in the group for 7 days.

GROUP 3: A single dose of 120mg/kg b.w of CCl4

administered intraperitoneally to rats in the group for 14

days.

GROUP 4: A single daily dose of 400mg/kg b.w of

aqueous whole plant extract of Selaginella myosurus was

orally administered to rats in the group for 7 days.












orally administered for 7 days to rats intraperitoneally treated

withCCl4.


aqueous whole plant extract ofSelaginella myosurus was

orally administered for 14 days to rats intraperitoneally

treated with CCl4.



orally administered for 7 days to rats intraperitoneally treated

with CCl4.



orally administered for 14 days to rats intraperitoneally

treated with CCl4.


GROUP 12: A single daily dose of 100mg/kg b.w of Vit. C

was orally administered for 7 days to rats administered CCl4

intraperitoneally.

GROUP 13: A single daily dose of 100mg/kg b.w of Vit. C

was orally administered for 14 days to rats administered CCl4

intraperitoneally.

2.9. Sacrifice, Collection and Preparation of

Plasma

At the end of 7 and 14 days, all the animals were

anaesthetized with chloroform before decapitated for

collection of blood. The blood was stored in heparinised

sample bottle, spun at 5000rpm using MSE centrifuge to

obtain plasma for biochemical investigations, while that for

haematology investigation was collected in EDTA sample

bottles.

3. Biochemical Investigation

Total Cholesterol (TC) and Triacylglycerol (TG), were

estimated by enzymatic methods described by Allain et al.,

(1974). High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) was

determined by enzymatic methods as described by Stein,

(1987). The Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)

was calculated using the Friedewald et al., (1972).

3.1. Histopathogical Studies

The rats were dissected using a set of dissection kit and

livers of the control and treated groups were collected and

fixed in 10% freshlyprepared formalin for 48 hours and

subsequentlydehydrated in alcohol, cleared with xylem and

embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of lobe at about5µm

were mounted on glass slides and stained with haematoxylin

and eosin (Lillie, 1965).

3.2. Statistical Analysis

All the values were reported as mean ± standard error of

mean (M ± SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using

SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, U.S.A). The data were analyzed

using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant

difference were determined using post Hoc Turkey’s test for

multiple comparisons at p< 0.05.

Table 1. Effect of Aqueous Whole Plant Extract of Selaginella myosuruson

Lipid Profile of WistarRats.

TREATMENT

GROUPS

((M±SEM)

T-CHOL

(umol/L)

TG

(umol/L)

HDL

(umol/L)

LDL

(umol/L)

Group 1

Water control 1.90±0.11a 1.40±0.07 0.58±0.05 0.58±0.05a

Group 2

CCl4 only for7

days

2.25±0.09a 1.40±0.12 0.55±.03 1.02±0.03a

Group 3

CCl4 only for 14

days

2.32±0.09a 1.63±0.17 0.45±0.06 1.08±0.05a

Group 4

400mg/kgbw Ext. 1.73±0.14 1.38±0.05 0.53±0.05 0.65±0.16

TREATMENT

GROUPS

((M±SEM)

T-CHOL

(umol/L)

TG

(umol/L)

HDL

(umol/L)

LDL

(umol/L)

for 7days

Group 5

400mg/kgbw Ext.

for 14 days

1.65±0.10 1.25±0.06 0.55±0.02 0.63±0.01

Group 6

800mg/kgbw Ext.

for 7days

1.73±0.08 1.40±0.04 0.65±0.06 0.60±0.07

Group 7

800mg/kgbw Ext.

for 14 days

1.70±0.04 1.35±0.20 0.70±0.00 0.66±0.01

Group 8

CCl4+400mg/kgb

w Ext. 7 days

1.83±0.05 1.15±0.09 0.45±0.06 0.79±0.01a

Group 9

CCl4+400mg/kgb

wExt. 14 days

2.30±0.12a 1.68±0.11 0.40±0.04 0.99±0.04a

Group 10

CCl4+800mg/kgb

w Ext.7 days

2.02±0.08 1.33±0.09 0.58±0.06 0.85±0.05a

Group 11

CCl4+800mg/kgb

w Ext. 14day s

1.95±0.06 1.60±0.11 0.45±0.03 0.84±0.02a

Group 12

CCl4+100mg/kgb

w+Vit. C7days

1.85±0.02 1.15±0.02 0.60±0.00 0.70±0.02

Group 13

CCl4+100mg/kgb

w+Vit. C14days

1.85±0.02 1.45±0.02 0.55±0.02 0.75±0.02a

Data are represented in Mean±Standard Error of Mean (M±SEM)

Similar superscripts represent significant different (p<0.05) in the same row

Table 2. Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Whole Plant Extract of

Selaginella myosurus.

SECONDARY

METABOLITES TEST RESULT

Alkaloids

Drangedorff -ve

Mayer -ve

Hager -ve

Flavonoids

Shinoda -ve

Lead acetate -ve

Alkali +ve

Tannins

FeCl3 +ve

Phlobatannins +ve

Gelatin ND

Albumin ND

Anthraquinone Free Anthraquinone -ve

Combined Anthraquinone -ve

Triterpenoid/steroids Liebermann-Buchard +ve

Salwoski +ve

Fixed oil +ve

Carbohydrates Molisch +ve

Fehlings +ve

Cardenolide Keller Killani +ve

Kedde +ve

Cyanogenic

glycosides Frothing -ve

Saponins

Frothing +ve

Haemolysis -ve

Emulsion +ve

Note: +Ve means present, -ve means absent, while ND is Not Detected



Table 3. Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Whole Plant Extract of

Selaginella myosorus.

Secondary metabolite

(mg/100g)

mean± standard error of mean

(m + SEM)

Flavonoid 32.19± 0.23

Saponins 23.74± 0.20

Cardiac glycoside 15.28± 0.23

Steroid 16.53± 0.12

Terpenoid 26.24± 0.12

Tannin 18.74± 0.17

Phenol 13.10± 0.11

Fig. 1. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue of rat treated with distilled water

only as control.Arrows indicating normal hepatocyte and central vein

(H&E) magnification X 400.

Fig. 2. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue of rat treated with CCl4only for

14days (negative control). Arrow= ballooning necrosis of hepatocytes.

(H&E) magnification X 400.

Fig. 3. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue treated 400mg/kg bw extract only

for 14days showing normal liver histology (H&E x400).

Fig. 4. Photomicrograph of the liver of rat treated with 800mg/kgbwextract

only for 14 days showing normal liver (H&E) X 400.

Fig. 5. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue of rat treated with CCl4 +

400mg/kgbw extract only for 7 days. Encircled area contains increased

inflammatory cells. (H&E) X 40.


400mg/kgbw extract only for 14 days. Arrow indicating zone of necrotic

tissue (H&E) X 40.


Fig. 7. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue of rat treated with CCl4 + 800mg

extract only for 7 days. Arrow indicating zone of necrotic tissue (H&E) X

400.

Fig. 8. Photomicrograph of liver tissues treated with CCl4 + 800mg/kg b.w

extract for 14 days(H&E X400). Result shows normal histology.


Vitamin C for 7days as positive control. (H&E) X 400.

Fig. 10. Photomicrograph of liver tissues treated with CCl4 + 100mg/kg b.w

Vitamin C for 14 days (H&E X400). Result shows normal liver histology.

4. Discussion

Liver is a versatile organ of the body that regulates internal

chemical environment. Liver injury induced by various

hepatotoxins has been recognized as majortoxicological

problems in the modern world (Das et al., 2012). Developing

therapeutically effective agents from naturalproducts may

reduce the risk of CCl4-induced toxicity when the drug is

used clinically (Shen et al., 2009). Modern medicines have

little to offer for alleviation ofhepatic diseases and it is

chiefly the plant basedpreparations which are employed for

the treatment of liver disorders (Somasundaram et al., 2010).

There is agreat demand for the development of an efficient

hepatoprotective drug from the natural resource (Tandon et

al., 2008).

Result from Table 1 revealed significant increase (p<0.05)

in the levels ofT-CHOLandLDL-CHOLand non significant

difference (p>0.05) for HDL-CHOL and TG when groups 2

and 3 were compared to group 1. Elevated levels of T-CHOL

and LDL-CHOL in this study indicate deterioration of

hepatocytes by the action of trichloromethyl radical, a highly

reactive species that triggers lipid peroxidation (Deng et al.,

2012).Increase in LDL-CHOL concentration in the plasma of

CCl4- induced rats might be due to defect in LDL-CHOL

receptor either through failure in its production (or) function

(Abdullah, 2013).

Distinct alterations in lipid metabolism have been reported

in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats (Singhal and Gupta,

2012 and Amina et al., 2012).The liver plays a key role in lipid

metabolism. It is more or less the hub of fatty acid synthesis

and lipid circulation through lipoprotein synthesis. The liver is

central to the regulation of cholesterol levels in the body. Not

only does it synthesize cholesterol for export to other cells, but

it also removes cholesterol from the body by converting it to

bile salts and putting it into the bile where it can be eliminated

in the feces. Furthermore, the liver synthesizes the various

lipoproteins involved in transporting cholesterol and lipids

throughout the body (Yang et al.,2011).

Groups 4-8 showered non significant differences (p>0.05)

when compared to group 1 in all the parameters under

investigation indicating that the extract is safe at these

concentrations.

T-CHOL, TG and HDL-CHOL levels non significantly

varied (p>0.05) in extract treated groups 9-13 when

compared to group 1.Significant increase (p<0.05) was

observed in LDL-CHOL level for groups 8-11 and 13 when

compared to group 1.The Significant reduction in the levels

of T-CHOL and LDL-CHOL for extract treated groups when

compared to groups 2 and 3 indicates regeneration and

restoration of function of hepatocytes. Several other studies

have shown significant protection of the abnormalities of

lipid profilesagainst CCl4-hepatotoxicity rats when treated

with plant extracts or bioactive compounds (Singhal and

Gupta, 2012 and Amina et al., 2012).

Quantitative phytochemical screening of plant revealed the

presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, tannin,

steroid, cardiac glycoside, phenol in decreasing order (32.19



± 0.23-13.10± 0.11) and absence of alkaloids, anthraquinone

and cyanogenic glycosides.

Tetrachlorometane (CCl4) is metabolized by CYP2E1,

CYP2B and possibly CYP3A to form the trichlorometthyl

radical, CCl3. Which bind to cellular molecule as damaging

crucial cellular progression. This radical react with oxygen to

form the tri-chloromethylperoxy radical CCl3OO, a highly

reactive species that triggers lipid peroxidation and leads

ultimately to hepatotoxicity (Robbins and Cotran, 2006;

Balahoroglu et al., 2008; Deng et al., 2012).Recently,

phenolics have been considered powerful antioxidants in

vitro and proved to be morepotent antioxidants than Vitamin

C and E and carotenoids (Rice-Evans et al.,1995;Rice-Evans

et al.,1996). It has been proposed that the antioxidant

properties of phenolic compounds can be mediated by the

following mechanisms: (1) scavenging radical species such

as ROS/RNS; (2) suppressing ROS/RNS formation by

inhibiting some enzymes or chelating trace metals involved

in free radical production; (3) up regulating or protecting

antioxidant defense (Cotelle, 2001).Phytosterols that covers

both plant sterols and stanols is a steroid (Silveira et al.,

2003). They are plant components with a structure similar to

cholesterol (Plaza, 2001), although they aremore poorly

absorbed by the intestine. They are classifiedinto different

groups depending on their structure and biosynthesis

(Piironen et al., 2000). Phytosterols (e.g., ergosterol) have

cholesterol-lowering properties (Banthorpe, 1994) and can

reduce cholesterol level in human subjects up to 15% (Vieira

et al., 2005).Their exact mechanism ofaction and cholesterol

lowering properties are notknown, but, because their

structure is similar to that of cholesterol, they compete for

solubilization in the micelles and therefore inhibit intestinal

absorption of both dietary and endogenous cholesterol

(Heinemann et al., 1991).

Histopatology of liver tissue revealed regeneration of

necrotized hepatocytes tissues as dose and time of

administration increased.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, aqueous whole plant extract of selaginella

myosurus corrected lipid disorders due to CCl4- induced

damage on the liver hence could serve as therapeutically

effective herbal agents against lipid abnormality due to liver

damage.

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AASCIT Journal of Biosciencearticle.aascit.org/file/pdf/9070809.pdf2016/02/26 · AASCIT Journal of Bioscience 2015; 1(5): 103-110 104 2001). This has triggered off extensive research