Hepatoprotective Activity of Leaf and Leaf Callus Extracts of Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.

Aim: The study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro hepatoprotective activity of leaf and leaf callus extracts of Orthosiphon aristatus against alcohol induced toxicity using HepG2 cell line.

Materials and Methods: Leaf segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium fortified with different auxins alone and in combination. Prior to the determination of hepatoprotective property leaf and leaf callus extracts were subjected to the toxic dose study. The degree of hepatoprotection of extracts was determined by measuring cell viability percentage by MTT assay. Leaf and leaf callus extracts were subjected to the preliminary phytochemical analysis.

Results: Maximum percentage of callus formation (94%) was obtained in MS medium augmented with 2 mg/L of 2,4-D. HepG2 cells were pretreated with the different concentrations (below toxic dose) of leaf and leaf callus extracts for 72 hrs. followed by alcohol intoxication. Results revealed that aqueous leaf extract pretreated HepG2 cells show 90% cell viability compared to the standard silymarin pretreated HepG2 cells which showed 81% cell viability. Leaf callus extracts also showed significant hepatoprotective activity where ethanolic callus extract pretreated HepG2 cells showed 82% viability after intoxication with alcohol. Results revealed that HepG2 cell viability percentage is dose dependent. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of different secondary metabolites in leaf and leaf callus extracts.

Conclusion: The bio-efficacy study confirms the presence of secondary metabolites of hepatoprotective nature. Callus mediated tissues show hepatoprotection which paves a way for the mass production of desired biologically active principles.