Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activities of Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaf Extract in Paracetamol Induced Toxicity in Wistar rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayelsa Medical University Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

2 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, River State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

3 Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayelsa Medical University Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity poses a significant health risk. Bryophyllum pinnatum (commonly known as "Never Die") has traditional medicinal applications, including potential hepatoprotective effects. This study evaluated the protective effects of B. pinnatum leaf extract on paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Five groups were examined: a normal control, a paracetamol-only group (2 g/kg), two treatment groups receiving paracetamol with 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg B. pinnatum extract, and a standard control treated with 200 mg/kg vitamin E. After two weeks, blood samples were analysed for liver enzymes and antioxidant biomarkers. Paracetamol significantly elevated AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and creatinine levels (p<0.05), indicating liver damage. Rats treated with 400 mg/kg B. pinnatum extract showed marked reductions in AST (94.48±3.38 U/L), ALT (79.74±4.12 U/L), and LDH (15.36±0.64 U/L), comparable to vitamin E treatment. Antioxidant markers were also altered: SOD, catalase, and GSH levels decreased in the paracetamol group, while MDA increased significantly. Treatment with 400 mg/kg B. pinnatum improved these parameters—SOD (5.90±0.17 U/mg protein), catalase (4.49±0.24), GSH (5.75±0.44), and MDA (2.85±0.18)—indicating restored oxidative balance. These effects mirrored those observed in the vitamin E-treated group. The study concludes that B. pinnatum extract, particularly at higher doses, offers significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects against paracetamol-induced liver damage. This supports its potential use in managing drug-induced hepatic injury.

Highlights

Odangowei Inetiminebi Ogidi (Google Scholar)

Happiness Adaekwu Orlu (Google Scholar)

Keywords

References


1.    Chiew AL, Isbister GK, Duffull SB, Buckley NA. Evidence for the changing regimens of acetylcysteine. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2016 Mar;81(3):471-81. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12789. Epub 2015 Nov 23. PMID: 26387650; PMCID: PMC4767192.
2.     Ogidi OI, Ogoun TR, Njoku CO, Charles EE, Amgbare EB, et al. Toxicity Studies on the Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Wistar Albino Rats. Elixir Pharmacy Int J. 2020;149: 55010-55014. www.elixirpublishers.com 
3.    Salahdeen HM, Yemitan O (2006) Neuropharmacological effects of  aqueous leaf  extract  of Bryophyllum  pinnatumin mice.    African    Journal    of    Biomedical Research 9:97-101. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajbr.v9i2.48782 
4.    Chiew AL, Reith D, Pomerleau A, Wong A, Isoardi KZ, Soderstrom J, Buckley NA. Updated guidelines for the management of paracetamol poisoning in Australia and New Zealand. Med J Aust. 2020 Mar;212(4):175-183. doi: 10.5694/mja2.50428. Epub 2019 Dec 1. PMID: 31786822.
5.    Ahn K. The worldwide trend of using botanical drugs and strategies for developing global drugs. BMB Rep. 2017 Mar;50(3):111-116. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2017.50.3.221. PMID: 27998396; PMCID: PMC5422022. 
6.    Ogidi OI, Ayibaene F, Oluwatoyin SO, Anani RO (2022) Biochemical study on the effects of Ruzu Herbal Bitters Formulation on Wistar Albino Rats. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research 41(1): 32434-32439. https://www.doi.10.26717/BJSTR.2022.41.006558
7.    Ogoun TR, Ogidi OI, Aye T (2022) Toxicity studies of Yoyo Cleanser Bitters Poly-herbal formulation in Albino Rats. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 11(1): 1-11. https://www.doi.10.20959/wjpr20221-22534
8.    Ogoun TR, Ogidi OI, Ayibaene F (2022) Safety Evaluation of Dr. Iguedo Goko Cleanser Poly-Herbal Formulation in Wistar Albino Rats. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 11(2): 41-51. https://www.doi.10.20959/wjpps20222-21145
9.    Chiew AL, Isbister GK, Kirby KA, Page CB, Chan BSH, Buckley NA. Massive paracetamol overdose: an observational study of the effect of activated charcoal and increased acetylcysteine dose (ATOM-2). Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2017 Dec;55(10):1055-1065. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2017.1334915. Epub 2017 Jun 23. PMID: 28644687. 
10.    Ogidi OI, Esie NG, Dike OG. Phytochemical, proximate and mineral compositions of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Never die) medicinal plant. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2019;8(1):629-35. 
11.    Afzal M, Gupta G, Kazmi I, Rahman M, Afzal O, Alam J, Hakeem KR, Pravez M, Gupta R, Anwar F. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of a novel steroidal derivative from Bryophyllum pinnatum. Fitoterapia. 2012 Jul;83(5):853-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2012.03.013. Epub 2012 Mar 21. PMID: 22465504. 
12.    Ogidi OI, Ogregade I, Joshua S. Investigation of Renal Protective Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam) Extract in Acetaminophen Induced Toxicity in Albino Rats. Med Pharm J. 2024;3(2):82-93. https://doi.org/10.55940/medphar202485
13.    Ghasi EC, Achukwu PU, Onyeanusi JC. Assessment of the medical benefits in the folkloreic use of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf among the Igbos of Nigeria for the treatment of hypertension. Afr J Pharmacol. 2011;5:83-92. Available from: http://www.academicjournals.org/ajpp 
14.    Ogidi OI, Deghinmotei AU, Omolora SO. Anti-Diabetic and Lipid Profile Effect of Ethanol Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) in Albino Rats. Pharma Sci Anal Res J. 2024;6(3):180070.
15.    Enenebeaku UE, Duru CE, Okotcha EN, Ogidi OI, Mgbemena IC, et al. Phytochemical analysis and Antioxidant Evaluation of Crude Extracts from the Roots, Stem and Leaves of Dictyandra arborescens (Welw.). Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2022;6(1):62-70. doi: 10.26538/tjnpr/v6i1.12.
16.    Enenebeaku CK, Ogukwe CE, Nweke CO, Anyado‑Nwadike SO, Obi M, et al. Antiplasmodial and in vitro antioxidant potentials of crude aqueous and methanol extracts of Chasmanthera dependens (Hochst). Bull Natl Res Cent Centre 2022;46(33):1-12. 
17.    Enenebeaku UE, Ukwandu NC, Mgbemena IC, Nwigwe HC, Enenebeaku CK, et al. Oral acute toxicity and antimalarial potentials of aqueous and methanolic extracts of roots, leaves and stem of Dictyandraarborescens (Welw.) on Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Bull Natl Res Cent.2021;45:75. 
18.    Almazroo OA, Miah MK, Venkataramanan R. Drug Metabolism in the Liver. Clin Liver Dis. 2017 Feb;21(1):1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2016.08.001. Epub 2016 Oct 15. PMID: 27842765. 
19.    Mahmoud AM, Hozayen WG, Ramadan SM. Berberine ameliorates methotrexate-induced liver injury by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and PPARγ, and suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Oct;94:280-291. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.07.101. Epub 2017 Jul 29. PMID: 28763751.
20.    Afzal M, Kazmi I, Khan R, Rana P, Kumar V, et al. Thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rat brain: evidence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Neurol Sci. 2020;41(9): 2401-2413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04355-z
21.    Shabbir A, Shahzad M, Ali A, Zia-ur-Rehman M. Discovery of new benzimidazole-based derivatives as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors: Synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies. Bioorg Chem. 2021;107:104595. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104595.
22.    Olayinka ET, Ore A, Ola OS. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci. 2020;7(1):140-149. doi: 10.1080/2314808X.2020.1754344.
23.    Adeyemi OO, Akindele AJ, Nwumeh KI. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2018;29(1):35-43. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2017-0038.
24.    Sabiu S, Sunmonu TO, Ajani EO, Ajiboye TO. Combined administration of silymarin and vitamin C stalls acetaminophen-mediated hepatic oxidative insults in Wistar rats. Rev Bras Farmacogn. 2017;27(1):35-40. doi: 10.1016/j.bjp.2016.07.003.
25.    Njoku UO, Nwodo OFC, Ogugofor MO. Cardioprotective potential of methanol extract of Costus afer leaf on carbon tetrachloride-induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2017;10(3):253-259. doi: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.03.004. 
26.    Oyedeji KO, Bolarinwa AF, Ojeniran SS. Effect of paracetamol (acetaminophen) on haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2019;23(3):246-252. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20190038.
27.    Okokon JE, Simeon JO, Umoh EE. Hepatoprotective activity of the extract of Homalium letestui stem against paracetamol-induced liver injury. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017 Jan-Feb;7(1):27-36. PMID: 28265544; PMCID: PMC5329174. 
28.    Ajiboye TO, Yakubu MT, Oladiji AT. Electrophilic and oxidative detoxification and antioxidative properties of aqueous extract of Parkia biglobosa seeds in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. J Integrative Med. 2020;8(4):313-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2020.05.002
Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume 11, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 29-38

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics