Pre-treatment with Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn calyx Extract is Protective Against Sub-Chronic Paracetamol Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Abstract

Many plant parts have been found to have efficient protective and ameliorative effects against drug induced liver injury. The present study aimed to investigate the prophylactic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx aqueous extract (HSCE) on sub chronic paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Twenty mice were randomly distributed into four groups of five mice each. The control and HSCE only group were given aqueous DMSO and HSCE (250 mg/kg b. wt.) respectively. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the mice by oral administration of paracetamol at a sub chronic dose (500 mg/kg b. wt.) in paracetamol only group. The pretreatment group were administered HSCE at zero time and paracetamol (500 mg/kg b. wt.) 8 h later. The blood and liver were collected and subjected to biochemical analysis after 8 weeks. The administration of paracetamol significantly (P ≤ 0.05) induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by the increase in the level of liver marker enzymes and significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in the level of protein and albumin. Pretreatment with HSCE significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced serum levels of elevated liver enzyme markers. As regards to oxidative stress markers, pretreatment with HSCE significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased the level of malondialdehyde and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The hepatoprotective activity of HSCE was also confirmed by histopathological findings. These results suggest that pretreatment with HSCE has protective effect against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in mice.&nbsp