Effect of aqueous extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves against paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of Dicranopteris linearis L. [family Gleicheniaceae] leaf aqueous extract [DLAE] using two models of liver injury in rats. Rats were divided into ten groups [n=6] and received dH2O [negative control], 200 mg/kg silymarin [positive control] or DLAE [50, 250 and 500 mg/kg] orally once daily for 7 consecutive days and on the 8th day subjected to the hepatotoxic induction either using carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] or paracetamol [PCM]. The bloods and livers were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. From the data obtained, only the highest dose of DLAE significantly [p<0.05] reduced the ALP, ALT and AST levels in CCl[4]-and PCM-induced hepatotoxic rats while the other doses caused significant [p<0.05] reduction only in the levels of ALT and AST. The histological results obtained were in line with the biochemical analysis wherein reduction in the CCl[4]- and PCM-induced tissue formation of necrosis, steatosis and inflammation occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the DLAE possesses hepatoprotective activity, which could be attributed to its free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities, and high flavonoids content. Thus, in-depth studies regarding the hepatoprotective activity of DLAE are warranted