Protective Effects of Enantia chlorantha Stem Bark Extracts on Acetaminophen Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of different solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Enantia chlorantha stem bark in acute experimental liver injury induced by acetaminophen. The effects observed were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin (100 mg/kg p.o.). Preliminary phytochemical tests and acute toxicity study were done. The degree of hepatoprotection was measured using serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein levels. In the acute liver damage induced by acetaminophen, E. chlorantha stem bark extracts (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity. The total serum protein was significantly increased (P<0.05) by all the solvent extracts. Histological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. Our findings suggested that E. chlorantha stem bark extracts possessed hepatoprotective activity; the hexane extract of stem bark of E. chlorantha plant possesses better hepatoprotective activity compared to other extracts.