Aqueous Partition of Methanolic Extract of Dicranopteris linearis Leaves Protects against Liver Damage Induced by Paracetamol

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of semi-purified aqueous partition obtained from the methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis (AQDL) leaves against paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver intoxication in rats. The test solutions, AQDL (50, 250, and 500 mg/kg), were administered orally to rats (n = 6) once daily for seven consecutive days followed by the hepatotoxicity induction using 3 g/kg PCM (p.o.). Blood was collected for serum biochemical parameters analysis while the liver was collected for histopathological examination and endogenous antioxidant enzymes analysis. AQDL was also subjected to antioxidant determination and phytochemical analysis. Results obtained show that AQDL possessed high total phenolic content (TPC) value and remarkable radical scavenging activities. AQDL also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the liver weight/body weight (LW/BW) ratio or serum level of ALT, AST, and total bilirubin while significantly (p < 0.05) increase the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) without affecting the malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver indicating its hepatoprotective effect. Phytoconstituents analyses showed only the presence of saponins and triterpenes, but lack of flavonoids. In conclusion, AQDL exerts hepatoprotective activity via its high antioxidant potential and ability to modulate the endogenous enzymatic antioxidant defense system possibly via the synergistic action of saponins and triterpenes.

Keywords: Dicranopteris linearis; endogenous antioxidant enzymes; free radical scavenging activity; hepatoprotective; phenolic derivatives; saponins; triterpenes.

Figure 1

(a) Normal liver parenchyma. (b) Section of liver tissue treated with 3 g/kg PCM (p.o) showing large area of hemorrhagic necrosis around centrilobular region; inflammatory cell infiltration was observed at the center of the necrotic foci. (c) Section of liver tissue pre-treated with 200 mg/kg silymarin followed by PCM showing preservation of normal hepatocytes. (d) Section of liver tissue pre-treated with 50 mg/kg AQDL followed by PCM showing mild sinusoidal congestion and cellular swelling. (e) Section of liver tissue pre-treated with 250 mg/kg AQDL followed by PCM showing moderate hemorrhagic necrosis in centrilobular region and presence of inflammatory infiltrate. (f) Section of liver tissue pre-treated with 500 mg/kg AQDL followed by PCM showing mild inflammatory infiltrate and mild cellular swelling. (H&E staining, 100x magnification). CV = central vein. IF = inflammatory infiltrate. HN = hemorrhagic necrosis. SC = sinusoidal congestion. S = steatosis.

Figure 2

(A) HPLC profile of AQDL shows several detected peaks with their respective retention time and UV–vis spectral information at different wavelengths. Only two peaks were detected at 366 nm, and only one peak (RT = 19.327 min) possessed the UV–vis spectral (Band A fall in the range of 310–350 nm; Band B fall in the range of 250–290 nm) that is a characteristic of flavonoid-based (flavones type) bioactive compound. (B) Comparison between the chromatogram of AQDL against the chromatograms of several pure flavonoids revealed that none of the flavonoids were present in the said partition. Only two chromatograms of pure flavonoids, namely, quercetin and rutin, were included for comparison with AQDL.