Hepatoprotective Effect of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Del Leaves Against CCl4-Induced Liver Damage

Abstract

Croton macrostachyus Hochst is a medicinal plant widely used in Ethiopia for the treatment of dysentery, abdominal pain, hepatitis and jaundice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of leaves of C. macrostachyus (AECM) in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and mice. Seven groups of animals (n = 6) were used. Distilled water was given to group I; animals in group II were given distilled water along with CCl₄ (1 mg/kg) every 72 h for 16 days, third group served as a positive control and received silymarin 100 mg/kg, and for the other groups 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg AECM were given orally once daily for 16 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced by intra-peritoneal administration of 1 ml/kg of CCl₄ every 72 h. At the 18th day blood samples were collected from the jugular vein. Serum concentrations of biochemical markers and histopathological analysis of the liver were conducted. Thiopentone-induced sleep time test was also conducted. The crude extract at all doses produced significant hepatoprotection by decreasing the level of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and indirect bilurbin (IBIL). The extract at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg also produced significant hepatoprotection by decreasing levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as produced significant elevation of serum albumin (ALB) level. These results correlated well with the histopathological studies and thiopentone-induced sleeping time assessment. The study revealed that aqueous extract of the leaves of C. macrostachyus possesses hepatoprotective activity and could be used as a potential source of new hepatoprotective drugs.

Keywords: Croton macrostachyus, hepatoprotective, carbon tetrachloride, biochemical markers, histopathological analysis