Hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant activity of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae) and Distemonathus benthamianus Baill. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Kouassi Konan; N'dah Kouamé Justin; Boyvin Lydie; Méité Souleymane; Yapo Adou Francis; N'guessan Jean David

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2015,11,41,111-116.

DOI:10.4103/0973-1296.149723

Published:January 2015

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Kouassi Konan¹, N'dah Kouamé Justin², Boyvin Lydie³, Méité Souleymane³, Yapo Adou Francis¹, N'guessan Jean David¹
¹ Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacodynamy, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22
² Department of Anatomy, Pathological Anatomy Cytology, Histology-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Laboratory of pathological anatomy, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22
³ Department of Clinical and Fundamental Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 490 Abidjan 01 , Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract:

Background: Liver diseases are on rise and remain a serious health problem. Olax subscorpioidea and Distemonanthus benthamianus are two plants used in Ivorian traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases including jaundice and hepatitis. Objective: The present study was carried out to assess the hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant potentials of the hydro-ethanolic leaf extracts of these plants in carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ )-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The plant extracts at doses of 25 and 100 mg/kg bw, and silymarin (25 mg/kg bw) were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected once daily for 7 days to different groups of rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced on the 7 ^th day in all the group animals except control. Rats were sacrificed on the 8 ^th day and blood was collected. Serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity were measured using standard procedures. Histopathological examinations of liver rats were also performed. Results and Discussion: Hepatotoxicity induced with CCl ₄ was well manifested by significant increase in serum activities of GOT, GPT, ALP and GGT, and enhancement of total bilirubin and TBARS levels. On the other hand, the level of total protein, albumin, α₁ -globulin significantly decreased, and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity and TAP were lowered. Pretreatment with plant extracts and silymarin prevent the toxic effects of CCl ₄ by decreasing serum enzyme activities, total bilirubin and TBARS levels and improving serum TAP and DPPH-free radical scavenging potential. Histopathological observations showed almost normal hepatic cells with a mild degree of inflammation, lesser fatty infiltration and absence of necrosis among the rats treated at 100 mg/kg of extracts of both the plants. Conclusion: The results suggest that the hydro-ethanolic leaf extracts of O. subscorpioidea and D. benthamianus possesses hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant activity.