HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF AQUILARIA MALACCENSIS LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST ETHANOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

The present study was undertaken to standardize and evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of the ethanolic extract of Aquilaria malaccensis (Agarwood) leaves against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The dried leaves were extracted with ethanol and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, physicochemical evaluation and chromatographic standardization. The extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, gums and mucilages, saponins, starch, proteins, amino acids, phenolic compounds and reducing sugars, and exhibited a characteristic TLC Rf value of 0.56. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay, in which the extract demonstrated concentration-dependent activity with an IC₅₀ value of 305 µg/mL. Acute oral toxicity testing according to OECD Guideline 423 indicated that the extract was tolerated up to 4000 mg/kg body weight. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in ethanol-induced hepatotoxic rats using ethanolic Agarwood leaf extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg, while silymarin 200 mg/kg served as the standard drug. Ethanol administration produced marked elevations in serum SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, indicating significant hepatic injury. Treatment with the extract significantly reduced these altered biochemical parameters toward normal values. Histopathological examination supported the biochemical findings and demonstrated improved hepatic architecture, reduced tissue damage and evidence of hepatocyte regeneration in extract-treated animals. Overall, the findings indicate that the ethanolic extract of Aquilaria malaccensis leaves possesses significant hepatoprotective activity, which may be associated with its antioxidant and phenolic constituents. The study supports further investigation of Agarwood leaves as a potential natural source of hepatoprotective agents.