Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties and Hepatoprotective Activity of Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel. (Combretaceae) Leaf Methanol Extract

Abstract

In 2020, it was estimated that 354 million people in the world live with hepatitis B or C and majority of them lack facilities for testing and/or treatment. Pharmacological activities of some members of the combretacea family have been evaluated and proven. This research aims to investigate Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch & Dalziel leave methanol extract for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities using paracetamol as toxicant and silymarin as standard compound. Superoxide dismutase, reduced gluthatione, catalase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and total bilirubin were evaluated as liver function biomarkers. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23 to analyze the data and compare groups, at significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Liver slices were subjected to histopathological examination. 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, Nitric Oxide scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, assay methods for in vitro antioxidant activity screening were used. Results of the evaluated parameters showed the group that received only the toxin was different from those that received the toxin and the extract (p < .05). This was corroborated by histopatholical examination. This is an indication that pre-treatment with C. platypterum leaf methanol extract significantly protected the liver. Results of in vitro antioxidant activity evaluation were as follows: DPPH IC50 28.88 ±1.06 μg/ml, AAI=1.34 with ascorbic acid equivalent values of 37.02 µg. The extract had NO Equivalence of 1.0, IC50 = 32.36µg/ml and a FRAP value of 158.67 µM Fe(II)/g dry weight. Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel. (Combretaceae) possess Hepatoprotective and strong antioxidant properties.