Alleviation activity of Ziziphus talanai (Blanco) Merr. ethanolic leaf extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatic aberrations in male Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20883/medical.e1576Keywords:
hepatoprotection, Ziziphus talanai, acetaminophen, aminotransferase, histopathologyAbstract
Liver disease remains a global health concern, prompting interest in natural plant derivatives such as Ziziphus talanai as potential treatments. Although recent studies documented therapeutic uses, other medicinal properties remained unexplored. This study evaluates the alleviation activity of Ziziphus talanai ethanolic leaf extract (ZTELE). Phytochemicals were identified through Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. Quantification of total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using aluminium chloride and Folin-Ciocalteu colourimetric assay. Twelve healthy male Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rats were induced with acetaminophen (APAP) and divided into four treatment groups: T+ (Silymarin); T- (Distilled water); T1 (250 mg/kg of ZTELE); T2 (750 mg/kg of ZTELE). Hepatotoxicity in APAP-induced mice was confirmed by elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). TLC analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, anthrones, higher alcohols, essential oils, glycosidic flavonoids, steroids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids in the extract. High contents of flavonoid and phenolic compounds were recorded with 42.98 ± 2.44 mg CG/g and 720.04 ± 31.20 mg GAE/g, respectively. A decline in ALT and AST levels has been observed in ZTELE-treated (T1 and T2) and silymarin-treated mice. On macroscopic examination, the liver was distinctly pale in the negative treatment. Despite no significant difference from liver index, histopathological examination showed hepatoprotection activity of ZTELE and silymarin. Remarkably, T2 showed a significant difference in silymarin-treated samples, indicating its greater hepatoprotective efficacy. In conclusion, ZTELE has various phytochemicals that can be associated with its alleviation of hepatoxicity effects of APAP-induced liver toxicity.
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