Hepato-protective effects of aqueous extract of Ficus dicranostyla Mildbr. (Moraceae) leaves on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Ficus dicranostyla Mildbr. is a plant of the Moraceae family widely used in Cameroonian ethnomedicine for the treatment of several pathologies, including hepatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of F. dicranostyla leaves (AEFD) on paracetamol-induced hepatitis in rats. Thirty male rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each, including 3 control groups (normal, negative and positive) and 3 test groups. These animals received distilled water (normal and negative controls), silymarin (positive control) and the extract at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg (test groups) daily for 5 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced on day 5 by single-dose per os administration of paracetamol (2000 mg/kg) to all groups except the normal control group. Hematological and biochemical parameters such as transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubins, total proteins, lipid profile and oxidative stress were evaluated. AEFD, particularly at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, significantly reduced total white blood cell counts, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubins, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins-cholesterol and triglycerides compared with the negative control. The extract also significantly increased levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein and high density lipoproteins-cholesterol compared with the negative control. In the extract-treated groups, hepatic malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced, while reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly increased compared with the negative control. AEFD has hepatoprotective effects resulting from its ability to strengthen antioxidant status and prevent alterations in lipoprotein and cholesterol metabolism.