Therapeutic role of nutraceuticals in hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is a severe complication of cirrhosis that is related to the effect of excess ammonia.The present study was constructed to investigate the potent role of L-carnitine, -lipoic acid either individually or in combination in management of hepatic encephalopathy in adult male rats. The aim of this study was extended to elucidate the most effective therapy against experimental hepatic encephalopathy. The present results revealed that the treatment with lactulose, L-carnitine, -lipoic acid or a combined dose of L-carnitine and -lipoic acid resulted in pronounced improvement in the liver functions accompanied with significant modulation in hepatic and brain oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis in addition to marked suppression in the inflammatory mediators. Also, the selected treatments could restore the structural organization of liver and brain. In conclusion, the present study provided clear evidences for the effectiveness of L-carnitine, -lipoic acid or their combination in the regression of hepatic encephalopathy induced chemically in rats. This effect was achieved through the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic potential of these nutraceuticals.