AUTHOR=Wei Xichuan , Luo Chuanhong , He Yanan , Huang Haozhou , Ran Fei , Liao Wei , Tan Peng , Fan Sanhu , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Dingkun , Lin Junzhi , Han Li 

TITLE=Hepatoprotective Effects of Different Extracts From Triphala Against CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.664607

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.664607

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold><italic>Triphala</italic> is a traditional polyherbal formula used in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese Tibetan medicine. A wide range of biological activities have been attributed to <italic>Triphala</italic>, but the impact of various extraction methods on efficacy has not been determined.</p><p><bold>Purpose:</bold> The study aimed to evaluate <italic>Triphala</italic> extracts obtained by various methods for their hepatoprotective effects and molecular mechanisms in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>)-induced liver injury.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> HPLC fingerprinting was used to characterize the chemical characteristics of <italic>Triphala</italic> extracts obtained by (a) 0.5 h ultrasonication, (b) 2 h reflux, and (c) 4 h reflux. Hepatoprotective efficacy was evaluated in a mouse model of CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced liver damage. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured, as well as the liver antioxidant and inflammatory markers malondialdehyde superoxide dismutase glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), TNF-α, and IL-6. Gene and protein expression of Nrf-2 signaling components Nrf-2, heme oxygenase (HO-1), and NADPH Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO-1) in liver tissue were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Chemical analysis showed a clear difference in content between extracts produced by ultrasonic and reflux methods. The pharmacological analysis showed that all three Triphala extracts reduced ALT, AST, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and increased SOD and GSH-Px. Triphala extracts also induced transcript and protein expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Triphala extract prevents CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced acute liver injury. The ultrasonic extract of Triphala was most effective, suggesting that hepatoprotection may be related to the larger tannins via activation of Nrf-2 signaling.</p>