In vitro antioxidant capacity and in vivo hepatoprotective effect of Allophylus edulis leaf extract

Abstract

Allophylus edulis is used in folk medicine primarily for liver conditions such as hepatitis, liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. In vitro hepatoprotective activity was previously demonstrated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of A. edulis in mice. This was done by first determining the acute toxicity of the extract, evaluating the general behavior, and subsequently verifying the effect on paracetamol-induced toxic hepatitis in male mice. Additionally, the phytochemical profile was performed, and the content of total phenols and its total antioxidant capacity were quantified through the 2,2, azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6 sulfonic acid radical cation (ABTS) method. The extract of A. edulis leaves did not demonstrate adverse effects up to 2000 mg/kg, p.o. Anthraquinones, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and tannins were detected. A high content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) was related to a high antioxidant capacity. Regarding the results of the biological tests, A. edulis did not affect the general behavior of the mice, and all doses tested decreased glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity, the main liver enzyme markers of hepatocellular damage. It is concluded that A. edulis has hepatoprotective activity, which could be related to its antioxidant activity. Keywords: Allophylus edulis; hepatoprotective; acetaminophen; liver enzymes markers; antioxidant capacity