Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extracts of leaves, barks and roots of Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae) on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice

Abstract

Objective: Bixa orellana is a plant from the Bixaceae family, for which, limited information is available on hepatoprotective properties. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of this plant on sub-acute acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Materials and Methods: Various aqueous extracts were prepared from roots, leaves, and barks. Albino mice were divided into six groups: a control group, an APAP group; a silymarin group (positive control) and three test groups. Mice were treated orally with APAP (250 mg/kg) followed 3 hr later by plant extracts, silymarin (50 mg/kg) or distilled water (10 ml/kg) administration once daily, for seven days. After treatment, animals were sacrificed, the liver was collected and different biochemical parameters were measured. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin/eosin staining and the qualitative phytochemical content of plant extracts was evaluated using conventional methods. Results: Administration of B. orellana barks decoction (250 mg/kg) significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase levels (p Conclusion: These results show that infusion from B. orellana barks is hepatoprotective against APAP-induced toxicity via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Keywords

• bixaceae
• anti-inflammatory agents
• antioxidant
• mice
• liver