Hepatoprotective activity of Livshis, a polyherbal formulation in CCl4-induced hepatotoxic male Wistar rats: A toxicity screening approach

This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of the polyherbal formulation Livshis in CCl4-induced hepatotoxic male albino rats, and included an assessment of the toxicity of the formulation. Male Wistar albino rats (140 ± 10 g) were divided into five groups (n = 6). Liver necrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight, 50% v/v with olive oil). Antioxidant enzyme activities, such as lipid peroxidation, and liver function test biosensors were assessed. Hematological and renotoxicity markers were evaluated to assess the general toxicity of the formulation. For acute toxicity evaluation of Livshis, the formulation was administered orally at doses ranging from 25 to 3200 mg/kg body weight. Hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities diminished significantly, and hepatic lipid peroxidation rates were elevated in CCl4-treated animals that were pretreated with distilled water (Group II). The activities of serum toxicity marker enzymes and serum liver function test biosensors increased significantly in Group II animals, whereas these biosensors were significantly protected in Livshis pretreated, CCl4-treated animals. Group V animals, treated with Livshis alone, did not exhibit any significant variation in levels of hematological and renotoxicity markers compared to controls. In an acute toxicity study, there were no toxic symptoms up to the dose level of 3200 mg/kg body weight. We conclude that Livshis is safe for long-term treatment for hepatic protection at doses of 50 mg/kg body weight.