Isolation, characterization and hepatoprotective activity of naturally occurring protopine against simvastatin induced liver toxicity in experimental rodents

Background: The present research reported isolation, characterization of protopine from Hedyotis corymbosa and investigation of in-vivo hepatoprotective activity of protopine against simvastatin induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rodents. Methods: Protopine was isolated from H. coryambosa by column chromatography using chloroform: methanol: diethylamine (9:1:1) as the mobile phase and structural characterization was done by UV, FTIR,¹H-NMR and¹³C-NMR and mass spectroscopy, followed by determination of in-vivo liver protective effect of protopine against simvastatin (20 mg/kg, p.o.), induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rodents. The liver protective activity was assessed by interpreting distinct biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, urea, total bilirubin, total protein and albumin along with the haematological and histopathological studies. Results: The reports of spectroscopic techniques confirmed that the isolated compound is protopine, an isoquinoline alkaloid. The treatment with protopine significantly at (P<0.05-P<0.001) and dosedependently reversed simvastatin induced elevated level of SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, urea, total bilirubin and restored the total protein and albumin level in rodents. Furthermore, protopine also signifies the blood parameters at a dose of 11 and 22 mg/kg and restored the defence mechanism of the body. The histological examination revealed that protopine at a dose of 22 mg/kg showed the regeneration of hepatocytes around central vein with near normal liver architecture. Conclusion: The results of the current study confirm the liver protective effect of protopine against simvastatin induced hepatotoxicity and therefore, scientifically support its traditional use.