Chemical composition, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of the crude extract and fractions of the leaves of fadogia cienkowskii schweinf (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Fadogia cienkowskii (wild plant) belongs to the Rubiaceae family. The purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical composition, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions of Fadogia cienkowskii leaves. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard protocols; the hepatoprotection was determined in paracetamol-induced liver damage model in rat, and the antioxidant potential evaluated using both in vivo and in vitro antioxidant models. The phytochemical analysis revealed that tannins, flavonoids and phenols are the highest phytochemical constituents. The histopathological study showed reduction in hepatic damage. The hepatoprotective activity at 200-400 mg/kg ethanol extract and 200-400 mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction showed significant (p < 0.01) reductions in serum liver enzymes (ALP, AST and ALT)/ bilirubin levels in paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats. The percentage inhibition of the ethanol extract and fractions of the leaves of F. cienkowskii at different doses showed that the ethanol extract at 300 mg/kg has the highest percentage inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes SOD (22.2%), CAT (39.3%) and MDA (9.6%); while for the different fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction at 400 mg/kg has the highest percentage inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes SOD (88.83%), CAT (71.43%) and MDA (68.97%) levels. Thus, ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of F. cienkowskii exerted significant hepatoprotection at higher doses even more than Silymarin (100mg/kg) against paracetamol-induced toxicity. Hence, this justified its traditional use by herbalists in the South Eastern Nigeria for the treatment of liver disease.