Satwa from three Tinospora species exhibits differential hepatoprotective activity against repeated acetaminophen dosing in rats

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F., and Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merrill, are herbaceous vines found all over India and are well known herbal medicines. Since, ancient time T. cordifolia, T. sinensis and Neem-giloe (T. cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) individually have been used in the ayurvedic medicine system in the form of Guduchi satwa to treat liver disorders. In the present studies, hepatoprotective potential of satwa prepared from three Tinospora species against hepatotoxicity induced by repeated dosing of acetaminophen was assessed. Repeated acetaminophen dosing produced elevations in the level of liver marker enzymes and changes in the lipid profile status of the animals. T. cordifolia had a specific action on maintaining lipid profile with improvements in the levels of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. T. sinensis exhibited a positive effect on SGPT and ALP activities apart from improvements in VLDL and triglyceride levels. Neem guduchi had specific beneficial effect on SGOT and bilirubin levels. The differential hepatoprotective effect of these three different satwa was also evident from liver histology. T. cordifolia exhibited normalization of periportal hepatocytes while T. sinensis showed prominent hepato-regenerative activity with increase in the normal hepatocytes in the treatment group. The Neem guduchi treated group showed strikingly normal liver histology without any anatomically detectable anomalies. The results reveal that these satwa have their actions at different physiological targets and hence exhibit differential hepatoprotective activity. Due to this differential hepatoprotective activity these three satwa may be used in combination as a liver tonic. It is also required that the effect of these satwa on the acute acetaminophen hepatotoxicity should be assessed.