J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Sep; 77(1): 11-8.

Effect of a herbal protein CI-1, purified from Cajanus indicus on the ultrastructural study of hepatocytes, in models of liver failure in mice.

Datta S, Bhattacharyya P.

Bose Institute, 93/1, A.P.C. Road, Calcutta 700009, West Bengal, India. sharmistha_tutu@yahoo.com

Ultrastructural changes in acute liver damage models in swiss albino mice (male, 30 g +/-2) induced by CCl(4) (0.1 ml/100 g); beta-galactosamine (500 mg/kg); paracetamol (300-500 mg/kg) and 40% ethanol (2 ml/100 g) were studied. Electron microscopical studies of hepatocytes of treated (hepatotoxins) mice showed-dilation of ER of both rough and smooth type with swollen mitochondria. Ethanol treated mouse hepatocytes showed giant mitochondria and presence of balloon cells. Nuclear changes showed increase in size and striking anisonucleosis, especially in CCl(4) and paracetamol treated mouse hepatocytes. Condensation of chromatin, nucleoli were fragmented and dispersed in beta-galactosamine induced hepatotoxic mice. These changes are remarkably striking in contrast to control animals. Treatment with CI-1, the herbal protein isolated from Cajanus indicus inhibited the pathogenesis of a majority of lesions produced by the hepatotoxins. Slender mitochondria, array of granular ER, presence of binucleated cells are the salient features of CI-1 treated hepatotoxic mice. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocytes of CI-1 treated mice were near normal. Thus, the herbal protein CI-1, may be a useful approach in the treatment of liver disorders for its potential in clinical medicine.