Methanol and diethyl stem bark extracts of Harungana madagascariensis blunt acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats through its anti-oxidant property

Abstract

Introduction: The liver is a vital organ of vertebrates; but drug-induced liver toxicity is a common cause of liver injury. The hepatoprotective effect of H. madagascariensis against acetaminophen induced liver damage was evaluated in this study. Method: A total of 30 rats were divided into five groups of six animals per group. Group 1 received distilled water for seven days and acetaminophen was administered at 750mg/kg on day 8 and continues with distilled water till day 10. Group 2 received distilled water only throughout the study at a dose of 10mL/kg. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received Silymarin (100mg/kg), diethyl ether fraction (1000 mg/kg) and methanol extract (1200 mg/kg) of H. madagascariensis respectively for seven days and acetaminophen (750 mg/kg) on day and subsequently the respective agents for another two days. On day 11, blood samples were collected for biochemical assays. Organs were also collected for histopathological examination after animals have been sacrificed. Four fractions obtained from methanol extract were tested for antioxidant activities using tests such as DPPH FRAP. Results: There was no significance difference in the levels of biochemical parameters between the methanol and Silymarin groups such as liver enzymes, total protein, BUN, bilirubin and creatinine. While histopathology of the kidney and liver of the methanol group showed moderate lesion that of the acetaminophen showed severe lesions. The highest anti-oxidant activity was recorded by the fraction with 100% methanol. Significance: Harungana madagascariensis solvent extract possesses hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity with methanol solvent extract having the highest hepatoprotective activity.