Bioautography-based identification of antioxidant metabolites of Solanum nigrum L. and exploration its hepatoprotective potential against D-galactosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

Objective: A traditional herb Solanum nigrum L. is well known for the management of different ailments including hepatic disorders. The objective of our study is to identify antioxidant metabolites and bioactive fraction of S. nigrum and to explore their hepatoprotective potential. Materials and Methods: The aerial parts (leaves and berries) of S. nigrum were extracted with hydroethanol- and polarity-based fractionations were performed. Total phenolic (TP), flavonoid content, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprints of different extracts were carried out for their quality control and determination of compounds present in them. TLC-based bioautographic assay was carried out to identify the antioxidant metabolites. The hepatoprotective activity of a steroidal glycoalkaloid-enriched fraction of S. nigrum berries was investigated in D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic damage was evaluated by assessing enzymatic activities of oxidative markers in serum and liver homogenate and histological study of the liver. Results: The n-butanol fraction of S. nigrum (berries) was found to have the highest value of TP and flavonoids. The treatment of rats with 250 mg/kg crude extract as well as 16 and 25 mg/kg of n- butanol fraction for 10 days was able to normalize the biochemical markers along with liver antioxidative markers in D-GalN treated hepatotoxic rats. The histopathological studies revealed that n- butanol fraction treatment also restored the markers of fibrosis toward a normal level. Conclusion: The n- butanol fraction from S. nigrum berries showed in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity and can be explored after further investigations as a potent phytopharmaceuticals for the management of liver disorders.