Protective Effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken (Miracle Leaf) Extract on Butylglycol-Induced Hepatotoxicity

The liver is an organ crucial for maintaining and regulating the body’s homeostasis, however, this can be altered due to damage or dysfunction caused by environmental pollutants. The Bryophyllum pinnatum (Family: Crassulaceae) leaf has been traditionally used by the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria to manage poisonings for many years. This study seeks to explore the protective effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum crude extracts against butylglycol- induced liver damage in albino rats. Twenty albino rats were divided into four groups of five. Group A received only distilled water (Negative control), Group B was given butyl glycol only (Positive control), Group C received the crude extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum, and Group D was administered both butyl glycol and the crude extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Phytochemical analysis, micronucleus assays, and enzyme assays (Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST)) were conducted. The phytochemical analysis identified anthraquinone, saponin, terpenoid, tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, and reducing sugar in amounts of 10.5±0.40, 8.24±0.01, 0.13±0.03, 80.5±0.39, 13.6±0.01, 25.8±0.33, 14.8±0.66, and 20.8±0.27 mg/100g, respectively, while the micronucleus assay revealed a significantly elevated induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in Group B (20.4±1.14 mPCEs/1000 PCEs) compared to Group A (1.0±0.71 mPMs/1000 cells), p<0.05. The highest levels of ALP and AST were found in Group B (531.81±10.6 U/L; 175.83±2.48 U/L), while Group A showed the lowest levels (174.28±1.19 U/L; 61.29±1.78 U/L), p<0.05. In conclusion, the crude extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum may help to modulate and decrease butylglycol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats, supporting its traditional use for related ailments. However, it is important to establish and promote a dose-dependent relationship during administration.