Does Methanolic Leaf Extract of <i>Cassia tora</i> Possess Hepatoprotective Properties in Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage in Rats?

Abstract

Abstract Folklore in Africa holds that Cassia tora L. has numerous health-promoting qualities. We looked at how methanolic leaf extract of Cassia tora (MLECT) affected the hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol in this case. Six groups of five male rats each, all in good health, were randomly allocated. Paracetamol overdose (2000 mg/kg body weight, peroral, 1 day) was administered to rats in all groups except the normal control group, resulting in liver damage. Following induction, the treatment groups› animals received different dosages of MLECT via gastric gavage (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg b.w./5 days). Following a nighttime fast, the animals were euthanized on the sixth day, and the serum levels of the liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, renal function (urea and creatinine), electrolytes (Na+, K-, Cl-, and HCO 3 ), and antioxidant levels were assayed using standard methods. Terpenoids (81.84 ± 0.01 mg/100 g), flavonoids (17.86 ± 0.16 mg/100 g), saponin (15.72 ± 0.07 mg/100 g), glycosides (14.63 ± 0.03 mg/100 g), steroids (13.23 ± 0.03 mg/100 g), tannins (11.97 ± 0.13 mg/100 g), and phenols (6.62 ± 0.06 mg/100 g) were identified during phytochemical screening of MLECT. Safety was demonstrated at dosages up to 5000 mg/kg b.w. in the LD50 investigation. Based on the findings, an overdose of paracetamol (2000 mg/kg b.w.) caused hepatotoxicity, which was characterized by enhanced liver marker enzyme activity, elevated serum levels of urea and creatinine, decreased total protein, antioxidant enzymes, and skewed electrolyte values. In contrast to the aberrant levels shown in the positive control, treatment with different dosages (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg b.w p.o./5 days) of MLECT dramatically decreased liver marker enzymes and restored normalcy in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and kidney function indices. As a result, the study’s findings imply that the methanolic leaf extract of Cassia tora has both antioxidant and hepatoprotective capabilities concerning paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.