Effects of <i>Sarcocephalus latifolius</i> Fruits Extract on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background and Aim: Sarcocephalus latifolius is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits aqueous extract against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. Material and Methods: Aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg were administered orally to rats with paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity (1 g/kg). The treatment with the extract and paracetamol lasted 7 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) was given as reference control. All tested drugs were administered orally. Results: Our results show that the Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits extract induced a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of serum enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (PAL) and total bilirubin (TB). Then, the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg showed a better protection (p < 0.001) of hepatocytes with a percentage of protection of 43.59% ± 2.03%; 59.43% ± 4.12%; 73.29% ± 5.72% and 62.55% ± 7.48% for ALAT, ASAT, PAL and TB, respectively. The histology of livers exposed to paracetamol shows an inflammation of the hepatocytes. In addition, there was a significant alteration of the liver parenchyma. The 500 mg/kg extract showed a resorption of the inflammation. Histopathological examination showed that the extract regenerated paracetamol-induced liver damage. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits has hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. But it would be important to evaluate the activity of aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits on oxidative stress parameters in vivo in rats.