Hepatoprotective Activity of Aqueous and Ethanol Extract of Lippia adoensis Leaf Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Abstract

Liver disease is one of the fatal diseases. Medicinal plants may serve as one ofthe best sources of remedies for treatment of liver disease. Identification of a potential therapeutic agent for protection of liver from hepatotoxins provides a useful way for the prevention of liver related illnesses. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of 80% ethanolic and aqueous extract of leaves of Lippia adoensis againstcarbontetrachloride induced liver injury in mice. Mice were pretreated with extract of Lippia adoensis (200 & 400 mg/kg bw. po) for 7 days and then challenged with CCl4 (0.2 ml/100 gm p. o) on the 7th day. Serum biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin, total protein and albumin) were estimated in all the study groups. Histopathological examination was also carried out for all groups of mice. CCl4 significantly (P < 0.001) increased the AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin levels and decreased the level of total protein and albumin indicating hepatic damage. Pretreatment with theextract of Lippia adoensis (200 & 400 mg/kg) produced significant (P < 0.001) hepatoprotective effects as evidenced by decreased serum enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and serum bilirubin and increase the level of total protein and albumin as well as by histopathological findings of the liver. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of CCl4 group represented the presence of marked foci of mononuclear infiltration in the hepatic parenchyma tissue, sinusoid and around central vein, as well as disorganization of hepatic plates, whilepretreatment with extract of Lippia adoensis overcome most of these changes to normal histological architecture of the liver. Body weights of Lippia adoensis extract treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.001) as compared to carbontetrachloride treated group. The absolute and relative liver weights of extracts treated mice decreased significantly (P < 0.001) as compared to those treated with CCl4. The results obtained from both ethanolic and aqueous extract of Lippia adoensis were comparable with those of the standard drug, Silymarin. It can be concluded from the present study that bothethanolic and aqueous extracts of Lippia adoensis have hepatoprotective effect.