Ameliorating Potential of Marketed Formulations Containing Prebiotics And Probiotics Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in rats

In the present work, two marketed formulations VELGUT® (combination of prebiotic and probiotics) and VIZYLAC® (probiotic only) were assessed for a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury model in rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Normal Control (treated with normal saline) and CCl4 treated group (treated with 1 ml/kg intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 once daily for 10 days followed by twice a week up to 49 days). Test groups composed of the oral treatment of VELGUT (1 mg kg-1) along with CCl4 (T1) and oral treatment of VIZYLAC (4 mg kg-1) along with CCl4. CCl4 treatment in the test group was similar to group 2. At the end of the treatment, various serum biochemical parameters like Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase, (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin, total protein, and albumin levels were measured. Serum cholesterol, glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also measured. A small piece of the liver was collected to perform histopathological studies. Serum AST, ALT, ALP, and direct bilirubin were found to be significantly lower as compared to CCl4 intoxicated rats. The level of total protein and albumin was improved. The level of MDA, glucose and cholesterol was improved as compared to CCl4 treated group.