The Antiulcer and Hepatoprotective Effects of Euphorbia hirta Petroleum Ether, Chloroform and Ethanolic Extracts on Paracetamol-induced Ulcerated Wistar Rats
Authors: Senniappan Palanisamy , Kolli Srinivas , Mandava Venkata Basaveswara Rao 
Published: May 2023

Background:

Hepatic and gastric diseases are two of the most common ailments in people.
Numerous researches have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal remedies in the treatment
of hepatitis and stomach ulcers.

Objective:

The study aimed to determine the antiulcer and hepatoprotective activities of Euphorbia hirta
petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanolic extracts on paracetamol-induced ulcerated Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

Euphorbia hirta was collected from the area of Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. The
air-dried whole plant was crushed, and 500 g of the powder and petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol
were used for continuous extraction by the Soxhlet device. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was
done by conventional and GC-MS analysis. Nine sets of six male Wistar rats, each weighing between 150
and 200 g, were used in this study. The standard control group, Group I, received only 1% v/v tween 80.
Group II, negative control, received saline (1 ml/kg p.o.). Group III animals were given silymarin (200
mg/kg p.o.) and paracetamol (2 g/kg), which served as the standard of care. Animals in groups IV, V, VI,
VII, VIII, and IX received two separate doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) of petroleum ether, chloroform, and
ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia hirta L. Liver tissue was taken for histological investigation and placed in
a 10% formalin solution. The liquid supernatant of liver cells was used to measure antioxidant parameters,
such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and LPO.

Results:

Phytochemical and GC-MS examination confirmed Euphorbia hirta extracts to have different
biologically active phytoconstituents, like alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenolic, flavonoids,
tannin, sterols and alkaloids. Euphorbia hirta has been found to significantly protect against paracetamolinduced
ulcer and hepatotoxicity compared to the negative control. A significant (p < 0.001) reduction in
SGPT, SGOT, ALP, DB and TB levels in the EEEH 400 mg/kg extract-treated group was observed compared
to the paracetamol group. The PEEH extract exhibited no significant decrease in all biochemical
parameters compared to the negative control. However, the standard drug showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease when compared to the negative control. SGPT, ALP, and DB levels demonstrated a significant
(p < 0.01) reduction with EEEH 200 mg/kg. The PEEH extract induced no significant decrease in
all biochemical parameters compared to the negative control, and the chloroform extract of 200 mg/kg
showed a less significant (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01) difference compared to the negative control. The histopathology
study confirmed EEEH 200 mg/kg to show good hepatoprotective activity.

Conclusion:

The findings have demonstrated Euphorbia hirta ethanolic extract to have effective antiulcer
capabilities, and a decrease in LPO activity along with an increase in SOD, CAT, and LPO content have
been observed, thereby leading to reduced oxidative stress. The antioxidant activity of Euphorbia hirta extract
as a free radical scavenger and the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract have been indicated
by the results of liver enzymes, DB and TB, and histology of liver tissue. More research is needed to recommend
Euphorbia hirta as an effective supplement to treat paracetamol-induced ulcers and hepatotoxicity.