Hepatoprotective effects of Allanblackia gabonensis aqueous trunk bark extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver damage in Wistar rats

Abstract

Objectives: Natural bioactive compounds protect against oxidative stress-induced diseases. Studies have demonstrated antioxidant properties of Allanblackia gabonensis (member of Clusiaceae family), which is used for liver diseases. This work was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of A. gabonensis aqueous trunk bark extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic liver injury. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats of control and CCl4 groups received distilled water orally from week 1 to week 12. A. gabonensis aqueous extract was given orally to preventive (PREV) test group (200 mg/kg) from week 1 to week 12. SIM group and two curative groups received silymarin 25 mg/kg and extract (100 or 200 mg/kg) from week 8 to week 12. CCl4 was injected hypodermically to induce chronic liver injury to all groups except control, 2 h after treatment, from week 1 to week 12. All rats were often weighed and were sacrificed 12 weeks later under anesthesia and blood was collected in ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid tubes and plain tubes for hematological profiling and serum preparation, respectively. Liver and kidney functions were assessed by measuring alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum activities, serum creatinine, total bilirubin, and total protein levels. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. Histology of the liver and kidney was done. Results: Administration of CCl4 to rats resulted in significant (P < 0.05) impairment of the animals’ weight growth. ALT activity, creatinine, total bilirubin, and MDA levels were significantly increased. Total proteins, GSH levels, SOD, and catalase activities were decreased in the CCl4 group compared to control. PREV or curative administration of A. gabonensis extract (100 or 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced liver injury by preventing significant elevation of ALT activity, creatinine, and total bilirubin levels and exhibited significant reduction in the levels of MDA, compared to the CCl4-group. These effects of A. gabonensis extract were evident by a marked improvement of the liver and kidney histological architectures. Conclusion: The results revealed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of A. gabonensis and constituted a scientific basis for further research on this plant.