Protective effect of Tetracera scandens L. leaf extract against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the protective potential of ethanolic extracts of Tetracera scandens L. (T. scandens) against CCl4 induced oxidative stress in liver tissues. Methods Dried leaf powder of T. scandens was extracted with ethanol and concentrated to yield a dry residue. Rats were administered with 100 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts orally once daily for one week. Animals were subsequently administered with a single dose of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight, intraperitoneal injection). Various assays, such as serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation (carbonyl protein group), tumor necrosis factor alpha, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were used to assess damage caused by CCl4 and the protective effects of the ethanol extract on liver tissues. Results Hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 was evidenced by a significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl group, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, as well as decreased activity of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). Treatment with ethanolic T. scandens extracts prevented all of these typically observed changes in CCl4-treated rats. Conclusions Our findings indicate that T. scandens has a significant protective effect against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rat, which may be due to its antioxidant properties.