Evaluation of Pharmacological Effects of Bauhinia Vaeriegata Linn on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Fat Diet-Induced Experimental Rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent and increasingly significant liver disorder characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver (steatosis) in individuals who consume little or no alcohol.¹ Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has evolved from a relatively unknown disease to the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.² Currently, a consensus defines NAFLD as an umbrella term for a range of diseases in which steatosis is present in more than 5% of hepatocytes with metabolic risk factors (especially obesity and type 2 diabetes), excluding excessive alcohol consumption or other chronic liver disease.³ NAFLD is fast becoming one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, and is now a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. The symptoms are usually associated with features of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is unknown, and this has become a hindrance to the treatment of NAFLD.⁴

Insulin resistance (in body and adipose tissue) increases the release of free fatty acids (FFA) from adipose tissue. These excess FFAs enter the liver, leading to triglyceride accumulation → this causes fatty liver (steatosis).⁵ Insulin resistance also increases SREBP-1c and ChREBP, which stimulate more fat synthesis in the liver, worsening fat accumulation. As fat builds up, the liver becomes insulin resistant, further increasing glucose and insulin levels → a vicious cycle.⁶ Excess liver fat generates inflammation and oxidative stress causing: Activation of hepatic stellate cells and Hepatocellular injury and NAFLD.⁷ Alkaloids present in Bauhinia variegate linn  shows Wound healing, inflammation, Antioxidant, liver disorders, stomach disorders, Jaundice. Major constituents are Carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, Flavonoids, Phenolic compounds and traditional uses^8,9: Pharmacological actions: Hepatoprotective, Anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-ulcer activity.¹⁰ Therefore to investigate the therapeutic effects of Bauhinia variegate (Kachnar) extract in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fat diet- induced experimental rats. To explore the histopathological changes in liver tissue to determine the extent of liver damage and the potential hepatoprotective effects of bauhinia  variegatea..

Material and Methods

Bauhinia variegata were collected and dried. The powdered plant material of Bauhinia variegatawas packed into a thimble and placed in the Soxhlet apparatus, after which methanol was used as the extracting solvent.

Experimental method:

All the animals used in the experiment were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC).

Table 1: Experimental Design

The disease model wiere induced in animals by administering a high-fat diet. The diet were carefully prepared by combining specific ingredients, including corn oil (400 g), sucrose (150 g), total milk powder (80 g), lard (100 g), egg yolk (200 g), sodium deoxycholate (10 g), tween 80 (36.4 g), propylene glycol (31.1 g), vitamin mixture (2.5 g), cooking salt (10 g), mineral mixture (1.5 g), and distilled water (300 mL). All components were thoroughly mixed to ensure uniformity before being provided to the test animals.

Evaluation Parameter:

Results And Discussion:

1. EFFECT OF B.VARIEGATA ON LIPID PROFILE OF ANIMALS:

The levels of LDL was significantly increased in the disease group while HDL is decreased in disease group compared to the normal group. The levels of total cholesterol and truglycerides was significantly increased in the disease group compared to the normal group. Statistical significance denoted as (*-p< 0.05, **-p<0.01 and ***-p<0.001 compared to the disease control group.

2. EFFECT OF B.VARIEGATA ON LIVER ENZYME LEVEL OF ANIMALS: