Correction of Toxic Liver Damage with a Multicomponent Herbal Extract in an Animal Experiment

Background: Digestive diseases constitute a significant part in the overall structure of human diseases. Herbal cholagogues are indicated for a treatment of chronic liver, gall bladder, and bile ducts diseases. The aim of the work is to determine the choleretic effect of a new multicomponent plant extract. Materials and Methods: Multicomponent plant extract was obtained from the following types of plant materials: 300 g of immortelle flowers (Helichrysum arenarium L.), 100 g of tansy flowers (Tanacetum vulgare L.), 100 g of rose fruits (Rosa sp.), 100 g of leaves of common nettle (Urtica dioica L.), 50 g of mint leaves (Mentha piperita L.), 50 g of licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). The extract was standardized by the total flavonoid content. It was calculated and expressed in terms of luteolin and isosalipurposide standards (total flavonoids content: not less than 4% and 15% respectively). The animal experiments being done in 80 nonlinear male rats with initial body weight 180-200 g. In order to study a choleretic effect of multicomponent herbal extract, naive rats recieved the single experimental dose of 250 mg/kg. Pharmacotherapeutic activity was studied in white rats with CCl₄-induced hepatitis. Results: Studies indicate a pronounced choleretic effect of the studied plant extract, that is comparable with the effect of “Allochol” in intact rats experiments. The course administration of a per os (peroral) multicomponent plant extract in a dose of 250 mg/kg to white non-linear rats with tetrachloromethane liver damage has a choleretic effect: it increases the rate of bile secretion, stimulates the synthesis and secretion of cholates with bile, and also the excretion of cholesterol and bilirubin. Conclusion: The obtained research results argue the feasibility of using a multicomponent plant extract containing biologically active substances of phenolic nature in the prevention and comprehensive treatment of liver diseases.