Chemical profile, liver protective effects and analgesic properties of a Solanum paniculatum leaf extract.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM\nSolanum paniculatum L. (Solanaceae) is a plant native to South America where it is used in traditional medicine for different therapeutic indications. This study evaluated the chemical composition and the hepatoprotective and analgesic activities of S. paniculatum leaf extracts.\n\n\nMATERIAL AND METHODS\nThe chemical profile of an ethyl acetate partition (SPOE) of a S. paniculatum leaf infusion (SPAE) was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESIMS). Liver protective effects of SPAE (600 and 1200\u2009mg/kg bw, po), or SPOE (300\u2009mg/kg bw, po) were evaluated in a C57BL/6 mouse model of acetaminophen (AP, 600\u2009mg/kg bw, ip) hepatotoxicity by measuring alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferase activity in the serum, and reduced glutathione (GSH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARs) levels in the hepatic tissue.\n\n\nRESULTS\nHPLC-ESIMS analysis of the SPOE fraction tentatively identified 35 flavonoids, esters of hydroxycinnamic acid and isomers of chlorogenic acid. SPAE (600 and 1200\u2009mg/kg bw) and SPOE (300\u2009mg/kg bw) antagonized the rise in ALT and AST, and the depletion of GSH, and elevation of TBARs levels in the liver caused by AP. The liver protective effects of SPOE (300\u2009mg/kg bw) against AP-induced liver toxicity mimicked those of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC 300 or 600\u2009mg/kg bw ip). The mouse writhing assay showed that SPOE (300\u2009mg/kg bw po) has anti-nociceptive effects comparable to those of AP (180\u2009mg/kg bw po).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThis study suggests that an extract of S. paniculatum leaves (SPOE), rich in phenolic compounds, is a promising herbal drug to prevent and treat AP poisoning and presents analgesic properties as well.