Hepatoprotective effect of combretum bauchiense leaves hutch & dalziel (combretaceae) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Ibeabuchi J. Ali, Rosa Mhlanga Chinheya, Romanus C. Omeh, Cyril C. Adonu, Ndidiamaka H. Okorie, Obiora C. Ugwu, Felix K. Asogwa, Onyebuchi Levi Idokoja, Udochukwu Gospel Okpara

Abstract


Medicinal plants have been traditionally used to treat liver diseases associated with impaired liver function caused by exposure to toxicants. Ethnomedicinal reports on hepatoprotective potential of some combretum species have been documented though there is no such information on Combretum bauchinese. This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of extract and fractions of Combretum bauchinese (Hutch) leaves against Paracetamol-induced liver injury. The extract and different fractions were obtained by cold maceration and solvent partitioning methods to afford, methanol extract, hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and butanol fraction.   Hepatoprotective was evaluated using paracetamol induced liver injury; thirty-five (35) rats were divided into seven (7) groups of five (5) animals each and subjected to 8-day study. Group A received distilled water, while groups B-F received plant samples: B received 200mg/kg of the extract, C received 400mg/kg of the extract, and Groups D, E and F received 400mg/kg of fractions for 7 days. Group G received 100mg/kg standard drug. Paracetamol (3g/kg) was administered orally to induce hepatotoxicity on the 8th day. Blood was collected from each rat through ocular puncture, allowed to coagulate and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min to obtain a clear supernatant.  This supernatant was used to assay Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphate (ALP) and Bilirubin levels using Randox kits according to manufacturer’s protocols. The hepatoprotective activity of the extract at 400mg/kg gave a significant reduction exhibiting better hepatoprotection. Each of the fractions at 400mg/kg showed similarity in activity although not as significant as the high dose of the extract. In conclusion, Combretum bauchiense leaves were found to possess hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the level of liver enzymes due to paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Our finding gives credence to combretum bauchiense just like other combretum species as used in the traditional medicine to treat liver injury.

 

Received on, 09 November 2025

Accepted on, 08 December 2025

Published on, 17 December 2025


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/AMPDR.2025.05.2.1668

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ibeabuchi J. Ali, Rosa Mhlanga Chinheya, Romanus C. Omeh, Cyril C. Adonu, Ndidiamaka H. Okorie, Obiora C. Ugwu, Felix K. Asogwa, Onyebuchi Levi Idokoja, Udochukwu Gospel Okpara

Advances in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Dental Research

E-ISSN: 2812-4898

P-ISSN: 2812-488X

 

Published by:

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Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

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