Cytotoxic and Hepatocurative Effect of Aqueous Fraction of Tapinanthus bangwensis Against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

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.

Preliminary Phytochemical and Physicochemical Analysis of Selected Mistletoes from Ethiopia

“…The determination of higher moisture content in this study indicated the more probability of microbial attack and enzymatic hydrolysis of the plant materials [44,[45][46][47]. The higher extraction yield of mistletoes using water and methanol in this study might be associated to the higher polarity of the extraction materials, the particle size of the raw materials, the solvent-to-solid ration, the extraction temperature and the extraction duration [48][49].…”

Hepatocurative potentials of methanol extracts/fractions of Tapinanthus bangwensis and Moringa oleifera on carbon tetrachlorideinduced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

“…In contrast deficiency of these trace elements especially zinc and copper cause oxidative stress and damage to biological molecules and membranes (McDowell et al, 2007). Therefore the hepatocurative effect observed in this study could be due to the presence of copper and zinc and/or strong antioxidant activity exhibited by crude methanol extracts/fractions of the plants which may be attributed to the presence of phytochemical compounds inherent in them (Ihegboro et al, 2018). The increased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein as shown in table 5 may be due to defective metabolism of phospholipids, increased biosynthesis from acetate, increased fatty acid esterification, inhibition of fatty acid betaoxidation or decreased excretion of cellular lipids (Weber et al, 2003;Fernandez and West, 2005;).…”

“…The English acronyms for the plant are "all heal tree, "bird lime" or "tree of life" while various ethnic groups in Nigeria such as Hausa call it Kauci (Kanchi), Yoruba-, Afomo onisana and Igbo-Awurusie (or Apari). Its ethno-medicinal benefits include anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects (Ihegboro et al, 2018). Moringa oleifera is referred to as miracle trees and belong to the Moringaceae family.…”

Natural Compounds Isolated from African Mistletoes (Loranthaceae) Exert Anti-Inflammatory and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Potentials: In Vitro and In Silico Studies

“…Additionally, the host constituents may be exchanged with the mistletoes and vice versa, therefore enhancing their medicinal properties. In fact, according to traditional medicine practices, mistletoes growing on guava, kola nuts and citrus are mostly used for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, nervousness and insomnia, while those growing on cocoa are specifically efficient against hyperglycaemia [3]. African mistletoes are known as "all-purpose plants" because they were beneficial in folklore medicine as a remedy for many health problems [4].…”