Voacanga grandifolia (Miq.) Rolfe protects against alcohol-induced liver toxicity in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the ethanol extract of Voacanga grandifolia for hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential against ethanolinduced liver toxicity in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were administered ethanol (7 g/kg) and then treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of Voacanga grandifolia extract. The phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of Voacanga grandifolia extract were evaluated by GC-MS and in vitro antioxidant assays. Biochemical indicators for liver damage and proapoptotic and antiapoptotic gene expression were determined using biochemical kits, ELISA, and qRT-PCR, respectively. Additionally, histopathological study of the liver was performed. Results: GC-MS identified propanoic acid, meso-erythritol, D-pinitol, myo-inositol, and hexadecanoic acid in Voacanga grandifolia extract. Voacanga grandifolia extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) increased the concentration of enzymatic antioxidants while diminishing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and biochemical indicators. qRT-PCR assay showed that Voacanga grandifolia extracts upregulated antiapoptotic gene expression while downregulating pro-apoptotic gene expression. Furthermore, the plant extract improved the hepatic architecture of ethanol-intoxicated rats. Conclusions: Voacanga grandifolia extract demonstrates hepatoprotective activity against alcohol-induced liver injury in rats and could be a potential hepatoprotective agent.

Keywords

• antioxidant; ethanol-induced toxicity; hepatoprotective; hepatic markers; voacanga grandifolia