Hepatoprotective activity of <i>Artocarpus lakoocha</i> leaf extract against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

Introduction: The search for effective and safe medications to combat liver problems remains an ongoing quest. This study aimed to evaluate any hepatoprotective potential of an aqueous methanolic leaf extract from Artocarpus lakoocha against paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver toxicity in Wister rats. Methods: In vitro testing of the plant extract entailed phytochemical screening. An in vivo study was also performed involving a single exposure to PCM either alone or in combination with the standard hepatoprotective agent, silymarin, or A. lakoocha leaf extract administered orally over 8 days. Animal weight, acute toxicity, hematological parameters (red blood cell count [RBC], white blood cells [WBCs], thrombocytes, hemoglobin [Hb], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]), and serum biochemical markers of hepatic damage (total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], C-reactive protein [CRP], alanine transaminase [ALT]) were measured and post mortem liver tissues were also examined histopathologically using eosin-hematoxylin staining and microscopy. Results: Phytochemical analysis of A. lakoocha leaf extract exposed a predominant content of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, phenols, and steroids. In addition, A. lakoocha extract prevented PCM-induced weight loss (P&lt;0.05), decreased Hb plus RBC, and elevated WBC (P&lt;0.05) during the protocol. Both the plant extract and silymarin reversed PCM-elevated serum concentrations of hepatic biomarkers (+35.6% to +840%) and the histopathological injury. Additionally, the plant extract had a dose-related hemato-biochemical hepatoprotective effect, and the findings were analogous to those with the hepatoprotective standard, silymarin. Conclusion: These study outcomes substantiate a protective effect of A. lakoocha leaf extract against PCM-induced hepatotoxicity in the animal model.