Reversal of fibrogenic events in liver by Emblica officinalis (fruit), an Indian natural drug.

A hydroalcoholic (50%) extract of Emblica officinalis (fruit) (EO-50) reduced the severity of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and thioacetamide (TAA). Improved liver function was observed by measuring the levels of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in serum. Hepatic parameters monitored were the levels of glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hydroxyproline and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Na+,K+-ATPase and cytochrome P450 (CYP 450 2E1) (aniline hydroxylation). The results suggested that EO-50 effectively reversed profibrogenic events possibly due to its promising antioxidative activity.