Protective effect of polyherbal formula nalpamaram on the ethanol-induced toxicity in Hep G2 cell lines

Paper Details

Research Paper 14/11/2025
Views (85)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Protective effect of polyherbal formula nalpamaram on the ethanol-induced toxicity in Hep G2 cell lines

S. Jyothilekshmi, Jini Joseph
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 137-142, November 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Plants are rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites with well-established antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Nalpamaram, a classical Ayurvedic formulation composed of the barks of four Ficus species—Ficus racemosa, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa—is traditionally credited with cooling, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Despite its long-standing use in Ayurvedic medicine, its hepatoprotective potential has not been scientifically validated. Since hepatic disorders are closely associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, the presence of antioxidant phytochemicals in Nalpamaram suggests possible liver-protective effects. In this study, the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Nalpamaram (NMAE) was evaluated using human hepatoma (Hep G2) cells, an established in-vitro model for screening hepatoprotective agents. Hep G2 cells retain key biochemical and morphological characteristics of normal hepatocytes and are suitable for assessing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and protective effects of medicinal plant extracts. The present investigation assessed the ability of NMAE to protect Hep G2 cells from ethanol-induced toxicity by examining changes in cell viability, apoptosis and oxidative stress markers. The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the hepatoprotective potential of NMAE and highlight the need for further mechanistic and in-vivo evaluations to substantiate its therapeutic relevance.

Bhatt BN, Dey A, Kanjilal S, Srikanth HS, Biswas R, Chakraborty P, Gandhi D, Narwaria A, Katiyar CK.  2017. In vitro hepatoprotective activity of a polyherbal formulation on HepG2 cell line. Ancient science of life 37, 99-101. https://doi.org/10.4103/asl.ASL_57_18.

Bouma ME, Rogier E, Verthier N, Labarre C, Feldmann G. 1989. Further cellular investigation of the human hepatoblastoma-derived cell line HepG2: morphology and immunocytochemical studies of hepatic-secreted proteins. In vitro cellular and developmental biology 25, 267-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02628465

Chopra RN, Chopra  IC, Varma  BS,   1992. Supplement to Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, New Delhi: CSIR. 29-30.

Duthie SJ, Melvin WT, Burke MD. 1994. Bromobenzene detoxification in the human liver-derived HepG2 cell line. Xenobiotica 24,265-279. https://doi.org/10.3109/00498259409043238.

González LT, Minsky NW, Espinosa LE, Aranda RS, Meseguer JP, Pérez PC. 2017. In vitro assessment of hepatoprotective agents against damage induced by acetaminophen and CCl4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine 17, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1506-1.

Kind PR, King E. 1954. Estimation of plasma phosphatase by determination of hydrolysed phenol with amino-antipyrine. Journal of clinical Pathology 7, 322. https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.7.4.322.

Krithika R, Mohankumar R, Verma RJ, Shrivastav PS, Mohamad IL, Gunasekaran P, Narasimhan S. 2009. Isolation, characterization and antioxidative effect of phyllanthin against CCl4-induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line. Chemico-biological interactions 181, 351-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2009.06.014

Pareek A, Godavarthi A, Issarani R, Nagori BP. 2013. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Fagonia schweinfurthii (Hadidi) Hadidi extract in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cell line and rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 150,973-981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.048.

Praneetha P, Durgaiah G, Narsimha RY, Ravi KB. 2017. In vitro hepatoprotective effect of Echinochloa colona on ethanol-induced oxidative damage in HEPG2 cells In vitro. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 10, 259-261. https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i9.19322.

Reitman S, Frankel S. 1957. A colorimetric method for the determination of serum glutamic oxalacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminases. American journal of clinical pathology 28, 56-63. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/28.1.56.

Shah VN, Shah MB, Bhatt PA. 2011. Hepatoprotective activity of punarnavashtak kwath, anAyurvedic formulation, against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and on the HepG2 cell line. Pharmaceutical Biology 49, 408-415. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2010.521162.

Shwetha C, Latha KP, Pushpa B, Shruthi A, Vaidya VP, 2011. Phytochemical screening and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolics and total flavonoids of Holarrhena antidysentrica leaf extracts. International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology  1, 546 -550.

Sies H. 1997. Oxidative stress: oxidants and antioxidants. Experimental Physiology: Translation and Integration 82, 291-295.

Subramanian PM, Misra GS. 1978. Chemical constituents of Ficus bengalensis (part II).  Polish Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacy 30, 559-562.

Warrier PK. 1993. Indian medicinal plants: a compendium of 500 species. Orient Blackswan.

Related Articles

Analysis of soil physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations in Lourdes, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental

Prosibeth G. Bacarrisas*, Romeo M. del Rosario, Angelo Mark P. Walag, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(2), 49-58, February 2026.

Tick-borne blood parasites in small ruminants: An epidemiological study of Anaplasma sp. and Babesia sp. in Cagayan, Philippines

Kathlyn B. Cruz*, Jhaysel G. Rumbaoa, Mary Ann M. Santos, Bryan Jerome R. Bassig, John Michael U. Tabil, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(2), 34-48, February 2026.

Diversity, spatial and seasonal distribution of gastropod molluscs in Taï national park (Côte d’Ivoire): Influence of environmental factors

Doue Obin*, Memel Jean-Didié, Kouadio Behegbin Habib Herbert, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(2), 20-33, February 2026.

Assessment of heavy metal levels in spring water of Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City

Faith M. Guimary*, Romeo M. Del Rosario, Angelo Mark P. Walag, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(2), 12-19, February 2026.

Evaluating curriculum alignment, accuracy, and readability of ‘environmental disaster, sanitation, and waste management

Analyn I. Diola*, Priscilla R. Castro, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(2), 1-11, February 2026.

Above and below ground carbon stock assessment of natural and planted mangrove forest in Davao Occidental, Philippines

C. F. Mangaga*, W. T. Tatil, H. A. R. Quiaoit, P. D. Suson, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 157-167, January 2026.

Extraction and characterization of distilled water from by-product of salt refinery processing

Analyn I. Diola*, Eric A. Cunanan, Irene A. De Vera, Christian Garret F. Aquino, Julie M. Agpaoa, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 151-156, January 2026.

Vulnerability to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: The case of the Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines

Angelica M. Darunday*, Judy Ann H. Fernandez, Shekinah L. Ogoc, Norlika D. Moti, Larry C. Herbito, Armi G. Torres, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 138-150, January 2026.