Introduction: Liver or hepatic disease refers to different conditions that affect the liver. Chronic alcohol consumption is one of the most frequent causes of liver disease and accounts for about 55% of liver cirrhosis deaths recorded in Cameroon in 2020. Standard accessible treatments focus on end-stage liver disease with safety and efficacy obstacles. We have a research gap in Cameroon to understand the alternative use of natural products as treatment with a long traditional history of safe use. Curcuma longa has long been a source of traditional and modern medicine. It is commonly used in Cameroon as a spice and herbal product with some level of activity against various forms of liver disease. Objective: To phytochemically screen for bioactive metabolites and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Curcuma longaon alcohol-induced toxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous extract obtainedfrom maceration of plant rhizomes. Three doses (125, 250 and 500mg/Kg) of the plant extract and the reference (Silymarin 50mg/Kg) were administered daily (p.o) to rats 30 min before administration of 40% alcohol (2mL/100g p.o) for 21 days. Biochemical parameters such as ALAT, ASAT, GGT, Bilirubin and Lipid profile were quantified and histological studies of the liverwas carried out using standard procedures. Results: Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of C. longa revealed polyphenols such as flavonoids, tannins, quinones, saponins and phlobatanins. The plant showed hepatoprotective activity by decreasing liver toxicity markers such as ASAT, ALAT, GGT and Bilirubin. Histology revealed dose-dependent protection with 500 mg/Kg showing the most cellular integrity, no central vein occlusion and minimal fibrosis. Conclusion: This study indicated the presence of polyphenols like flavonoids and tannins in the aqueous extract of C. longa. The presence of these secondary metabolites in the studied extract justifies its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties confirmed by its hepatoprotective effects on alcohol-induced toxicity. This was clearly shown by biochemical and histological parameters. More sensitive and specific methods are required to test for these secondary metabolites in serum.

Introduction: Liver toxicity has become a public health concern as more people globally get exposed to xenobiotics with the potential to cause liver damage and consequent liver cirrhosis. The increase in liver toxicant abuse has necessitated the exploration of xenobiotic exposure levels when addressing therapeutic measures using alternative herbal remedies. The increasing use of herbal products as alternative therapy needs regulatory alignment through evidence-based support for the safety and efficacy of these natural products. To undertake preclinical discovery of new metabolites from medicinal products, the objective of this study was to investigate the systemic serum exposure and acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes on Wistar rat models. Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous extract obtained by maceration of the dried plant rhizomes. Standard screening techniques for plant metabolites were used to screen blood serum after animal exposure with the extract. After a 500mg/Kg dose, systemic exposure was evaluated in blood samples collected at 30-minute intervals for one hour. For acute toxicity, a single 2000mg/Kg by body weight dose of the plant extract and the reference (Silymarin 50mg/Kg) were administered to rats, and they were observed for 14 days. Biochemical markers of toxicity such as ALAT, ASAT, GGT, Bilirubin were quantified, and histological studies of the liver were carried out. Results: No secondary metabolites were identified at 30 mins and 1hr in rat serum following a 500 mg/Kg oral dose. Administration of a 2000 mg/Kg oral dose to rats was well tolerated, and there were no deaths or significant target organ toxicity. The plant showed no lethality at the dose of 2000mg/kg body weight and decreased liver toxicity markers such as ASAT, ALAT, GGT, and Bilirubin. Histology revealed no significant damage to liver hepatocytes, no central vein occlusion, and no evidence of fibrosis. Conclusion: There were no systemically available secondary metabolites at a dose of 500 mg/Kg after the qualitative screening; more sensitive and specific methods are required to test these secondary metabolites in serum. This study confirmed the safety margin of Curcuma longa with no lethality following a single oral dose of 2000mg/Kg and after observation for 14 days. There was a low expression of biochemical markers of toxicity ALAT, ASAT, and no histological indication of liver damage.