Hepatoprotective effects of Juglans regia on carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatotoxicity: In silico/in vivo approach

Abstract

AbstractJuglans regia L. is a well‐known therapeutic plant in Nepal, employed in traditional medicine for treating liver ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo and in silico liver‐protective effects of J. regia extract using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced hepatic damage rat model. Healthy male rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control (distilled water 10 mL/kg), toxic control (distilled water 10 mL/kg), standard test (silymarin 100 mg/kg), and three groups receiving oral J. regia extracts (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day) for seven days. On the eighth day, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) (1.5 mL/kg in 1:1 olive oil ratio for all groups, except the normal control). Rats were sacrificed on the ninth day, and blood was collected retro‐orbitally for liver blood injury tests and histopathological studies. Molecular docking was performed against cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP450 2E1) enzyme for 16 selected phytoconstituents. J. regia, at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, significantly reduced liver enzyme levels (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin), while increasing serum albumin. Histological analysis revealed mitigation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury, reducing fatty degeneration and necrosis. Molecular docking supported the findings, with Beta‐sitosterol and Betulinic acid exhibiting the best binding affinity of −9.2 and −9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. In conclusion, result suggests that J. regia showed dose‐dependent hepatoprotective activity in CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity and it could be utilized as a promising hepatoprotective agent. This study suggests the hepatoprotective potential of J. regia bark extracts, emphasizing the need for further clinical validation.