Hepatoprotective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Opilia celtidifolia (Opiliaceae) Leaves against Ethanol‐Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Abstract

Objective. Opilia celtidifolia is a plant used in Cameroonian ethnomedicine to cure jaundice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of O. celtidifolia leaves aqueous extract in rats subjected to ethanol-induced liver damage. Material and Methods. 36 rats including 18 males and 18 females were divided into 6 groups of 3 males and 3 females each, namely, 3 control groups (normal, negative, positive) and 3 test groups. The normal and negative control groups were given distilled water (5 ml/kg), the positive control group received silymarin (100 mg/kg), and the test groups were given O. celtidifolia extract at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. All groups, except the normal control, received concomitantly and daily 40% ethanol (4 g/kg) for 3 weeks to induce hepatotoxicity. Biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) were evaluated. Histological sections of the liver, kidneys, and lungs were examined. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extract were carried out. Results. The groups treated with the extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant decrease ( p < 0.001 ) of transaminases (ALT and AST), ALP, and bilirubin compared with the negative control. These results were confirmed by observation of histological sections of the liver that confirmed protective action of extract against ethanol-induced hepatocellular injury. Conclusion. O. celtidifolia possesses hepatoprotective properties that could be related to its high content of tannins and saponins in the leaves aqueous extract.

Phytochemical Screening, Polyphenol and Flavonoid Contents, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Opilia amentacea Roxb. (Opiliaceae) Extracts

“…Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds involved in the biological properties of plants [37] and their accumulation in O. amentacea crude ethanol extract could explain their medicinal properties. The detected chemical groups, including flavonoids, tannins, phenols, sterols, terpenes and reducing compounds, have been regularly reported in O. celtidifolia by several studies, despite the extraction process and solvent used [27,[44][45][46][47]. Polyphenolic compounds are known for their diversity of biological properties [48], which could explain the possible antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of our plant extract.…”

Cytotoxicity, acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumm. & Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae)

“…Based on these results, TTF would not affect the proper functioning of the liver because any hepatocellular injury would have resulted in a serum increase in ALT and AST levels [58]. This could be justified by a hepatoprotective effect of the extract due to its phenolic compounds which play an antioxidant role in preventing the peroxidation of membrane lipids [59,60].…”

Ethanol Leaf Extract of Synsepalum dulcificum Schumach. & Thonn. (Sapotaceae) Induces Distortions in Renal, Hepatic and Reproductive Indices in Sprague-Dawley Rats

“…This phenomenon correlates with the suggestive hepatotoxic effect of the extract. It has been reported that bilirubin level is elevated in hepatotoxicity because of inefficient bilirubin clearance (Amang et al, 2020). .…”