Effect of Lion’s Foot (<i>Alchemilla vulgaris</i>) on Liver and Renal Functions in Rats Induced by CCl₄

Abstract

The present work aims to study the influence of antioxidants activity of lion’s foot ( Alchemilla vulgaris ) leaves at different concentrations to give more protection against chronic liver disease. Results indicated that dried lion’s foot leaves had rich in total polyphenolic and flavonoids content (395.65 and 183.10 mg/100g, respectively). These results were reflected to the antioxidant activity (DPPH); it’s noticed that the antioxidant activity of dried lion’s foot leaves was high (131.74%). The major polyphenolic components were benzoic acid (1084.63 ppm) followed by ellagic acid, catechol, and catechin (614.16, 580.54, and 566.53 ppm, respectively) then salicylic acid and protocatechuic acid (479.71 and 444.43 ppm, respectively). On the same trend, flavonoids fractions indicated the highest content in luteo-6-arabinase 8-glucose, apig. 6-rhamnase 8-glucose, acatein, narengin and luteolin (40.01; 15.04; 8.07; 6.64 and 6.42 ppm, respectively). Fifty-six male albino rats were used in biological experiments. Rats fed on basal diet for two weeks before the performance of the experiment. At the beginning, rats divided into eight main group were fed on diets for 45 days as follows: Negative control group (first group) was fed on basal diet. Forty nine rats were fed on basal diet and induced by CCl 4, in paraffin oil (50% v/v, 2 ml/Kg) twice weeks subcutaneous injection to induce chronic damage in the liver, then divided into 7 groups numbered from group 2 to group 8. Positive control group rats fed on basal diet till final experiment (second group). Group 3 and 4 rats treated with 50 and 100 ppm ethanolic leaves extracts, respectively. Also, group 5 and 6 treated with 50 and 100 ppm aqueous leaves extracts, respectively. All extracts were fed on orally every day. While, rats in group 7 treated with 1% and 2% dried lion’s foot leaves. At the end of the experimental period, serums were collected to determine liver and renal functions. The liver was removed surgically for histopathological observation. The results revealed that CCl 4 intoxication impaired liver function. Serum AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin levels were elevated by CCl 4 administration, while significant decreasing was noticed in serum albumin in CCl 4 group. Histopathologically, CCl 4 caused congestion of central vain, fatty change of hepatocytes, and focal inflammatory cells in filtration. Treatment with lion’s foot with different forms and concentration attenuated these adverse effects and markedly ameliorated histopathological and biochemical alterations caused by CCl 4 especially with 2% powder and 100 ppm ethanol extract administration. Therefore, the results of this study concluded that lion’s foot can be proposed to protect hepatotoxicity induced by CCl 4 in rats. The results also revealed that the hepatoprotection effect of lion’s foot may be attributed to its antioxidant contents and free radical scavenger effect.