Enhanced Therapeutic Potential of Boldine – Phospholipid Complex in Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Boldine is naturally occurring aporphine alkaloid, possessing wide spread therapeutic activity such as, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic etc. Because of its, unfavorable pharmacokinetics associated with a lower plasma half-life, poor oral bioavailability and rapid clearance from body, the clinical application of boldine is restricted. Hence frequent dosing is required to maintain effective plasma concentration. The objective of present research work was to develop and evaluate hepatoprotective potential of boldine–phospholipid complex in carbon tetrachloride – induced hepatotoxicity model and compared with free drug component. The boldine phospholipid complex was formulated by refluxing followed by solvent evaporation method the various hepatic biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin (TB) evaluated. The result obtained from the investigation showed that BOL-PC formulation restored the elevated levels of liver enzymes, which was found to be significant with respect to carbon tetrachloride treated group at p < 0.05 and < 0.01. So the study revealed the superiority of boldine–phospholipid complex over the free drug boldine in terms of hepatoprotective potential and prolonged duration of action, which might be helpful in reducing the fast elimination of the drug molecule from body.