PREVENTION OF GALACTOSAMINE-INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE BY THE NATURAL PRODUCT LOGANIN FROM THE PLANT STRYCHNOS-NUX-VOMICA - STUDIES ON ISOLATEDHEPATOCYTES AND BILE-FLOW IN RAT

Loganin an iridoid glycoside extracted from the fruit of the plant, St rychnos nux-vomica, in an earlier study showed hepatoprotection in pri mary screening. The present detailed study has been carried out in iso lated hepatocytes (ex vivo) and on bile flow (in vivo) against galacto samine induced hepatic damage in rats to determine its pharmacological potential. Loganin was given to rats at preselected doses (3, 6 and 1 2 mg/kg p.o. x7). Silymarin a standard compound was given at the same doses for comparison. On day 7 galactosamine (400 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Study on isolated hepatocytes and bile flow was car ried out 24 h after treatment with galactosamine. Isolation of rat hep atocytes and collection of bile were done according to standard method s. Galactosamine reduced the viability of hepatocytes as well as bile volume and bile contents. Loganin showed a dose dependent activity (14 %-67%) as observed by an increase in the viability of hepatocytes and the reversal of reduced parameters of bile. The activity of silymarin a known compound was found comparable. Loganin showed significant hepa toprotective and anticholestatic activities and confirms the earlier f indings. The present study warrants detailed pharmacological evaluatio n. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.