Medicinal plants over time have proven to have potential to manage a huge number of diseases and disorders and thus have become a great source of pharmaceutical drugs. One of such plants is Tapinanthus bangwensis (African mistletoe). It is a semiparasitic and epiphytic plant growing on citrus tree, obtaining its food photosynthetically while its nutrient and water is got from the host plant. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicological and hepatocurative effect of aqueous fraction of T bangwensis in acetaminophen (paracetamol)-induced Wistar rats. The antioxidant potential of the plant was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine scavenging and ferric reducing power assays. The cytotoxic effect was determined using Allium cepa test while the liver biochemical indices were determined by standard protocols. Data obtained were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance at 95% confidence level and reported as mean ± standard deviation. The concentrated aqueous fraction of T bangwensis was found to be 23.3 g (58.25%). Quantitative determination of some vital phytochemicals revealed the following: flavonoid (84.6 ± 0.41 mg/100 g), phenol (147.5 ± 1.07 mg/100 g), tannin (31 ± 0.85 mg/ 100 g), alkaloid (23.45 ± 0.09 mg/100 g), and saponin (0.146 ± 0.0 mg/100 g). Treatment of rats with the aqueous extract of T bangwensis significantly decreased paracetamol-induced elevation of activities of liver function indices, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol level and increased the albumin, total protein, and high-density lipoprotein levels. The plant extract also attenuated the paracetamol elevated lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde. The research findings suggest that aqueous extract of T bangwensis is slightly cytotoxic, possesses appreciable antioxidant property and exhibited hepatocurative effect against paracetamol-induced hepatoxicity.

Bioaccumulation of toxic substances in liver poses a serious threat to its functionality and consequently leads to damage/injury. Medicinal plants have been reported to be effective in the treatment and management of various diseases. The present study is aimed at evaluating the hepatocurative potentials of Tapinanthus bangwensis and Moringa oleifera on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry were respectively used to assay for mineral elements and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera. Concentrations of potassium in methanol extract of M. oleifera (MeCE 2) and magnesium in T. bangwensis (MeCE 1) were found to be significantly high (p < 0.05). Concentrations of trace elements were low in the range of 0.07 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg. The in vitro lipid peroxidation assay showed that ethylacetate fraction and acetone fraction of T. bangwensis (ETF 1 and ACF 1) respectively exhibited the strongest and lowest antioxidant activity compared to other extracts/fractions. Oral administration of methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, increased glutathione (GSH) level and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The liver function indices (or liver biomarkers) such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein, total and conjugated bilirubin and lipid parameters (low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), cholesterol and triglyceride) were also significantly reduced. However high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) increased in the groups induced and treated with methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera compared to the group induced but untreated. It can be concluded that the plants possessed hepatocurative potential against CCl - 4 induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Hepatotoxicity, Liver biomarkers, Moringa oleifera Tapinanthus bangwensis