Gotu Kola Supplement Ameliorates Stress-Induced Liver Injury in Mice doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i6.25

Abstract

Insufficient sleep is a common lifestyle which induces stress and has been shown to enhance the generation of free radicals, thus resulting in cellular injury. Gotu kola is a medicinal plant with established antioxidant profile. This study aims to evaluate the probable ameliorative effect of Nigerian-processed Gotu kola supplement known as Centella lujica on liver function in mice subjected to stress initiated by sleep disruption. Thirty mice (22+2g) were randomly assigned into five groups. Treatment lasted for seven days. Group 1 served as control (not sleep deprived), Group 2 was sleep deprived, mice in groups 3-5 in addition to being sleep deprived for the final 72 h of treatment, received Centella lujica (50 mg/kg), (100 mg/kg), astaxanthin (50mg/kg) respectively. Liver enzyme activity and hepatic oxidative stress parameters were assessed thereafter. Hepatocellular changes were also recorded using histological techniques. Pre-treatment of sleep-deprived mice with Centella lujica supplement caused a reduction in pro-oxidants with a concurrent increase in antioxidant levels. Meanwhile, the opposite effect was the case in the sleep-deprived group. Also, liver enzyme activity and liver cell degradation were significantly (p <0.05) reduced in the centella groups when compared to the sleep deprived group. In conclusion, Centella lujica supplement caused a reduction in oxidative stress and enhanced liver function in mice exposed to 72 h sleep restriction.