Hepatoprotective Efficacy of Solanum virginianum Linn. Extracts: A Differential Assessment in Simulated Biological Systems and Within the Organism

Abstract

In Ayurvedic medicine, Solanum virginianum Linn., also known as Kantakari, is a vital herbal treatment for a number of liver-related ailments. The current study uses parallel in-vitro and in-vivo experimental methods to evaluate the liver-protective properties of water-based and alcohol-based extracts made from its mature dried fruits. The extracts demonstrated concentration-related protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in cell-based experiments using HepG2 liver cells. The alcohol extract demonstrated a higher capacity to neutralize free radicals (half-maximal inhibitory concentration = 45.2 ± 2.1 micrograms per milliliter) than the water extract (half-maximal inhibitory concentration = 68.7 ± 3.4 micrograms per milliliter). Animal experiments involving carbon tetrachloride-provoked liver injury in Wistar rats indicated notable normalization of blood enzyme markers, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (statistical significance < 0.01) when administered at 200 milligrams per kilogram, coupled with diminished fat oxidation and boosted glutathione concentrations. Chemical profiling revealed elevated levels of phenolic compounds (268.4 ± 0.42 milligrams gallic acid equivalent per gram) and flavonoids in the alcohol extract. These outcomes reinforce the historical application of S. virginianum in liver health management, highlighting the superior performance of the alcohol extract. Additional insights from related research suggest potential anti-apoptotic effects in cellular models and broader antioxidant mechanisms in animal systems, expanding the understanding of its therapeutic potential.