Hepatoprotective potentials of methanolic extracts of Roselle and beetroots against carbon tetrachloride and Escherichia coli induced stress in Wistar rats

ABSTRACT Roselle and Beetroots are essential plants used individually for hepatoprotective abilities. This study investigated the preventive potentials of the combinations of Roselle and beetroots against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced and Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced hepatic stress. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazin (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were evaluated. Oxidative stress was induced in rats with CCl4 and E. coli. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and histopathology were evaluated in the liver. Roselle had the highest TPC and TF of 274.4 and 1140.9 GAE mg/mL, respectively. Roselle and beetroots inhibited DPPH and FRAP by (95.7% and 73.8%) and (887.6 and 662.6 µmol/L), respectively. In the extract-treated animal groups, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the GSH, SOD and CAT was observed with a decrease in the MDA and histology indicates preserved hepatocellular architecture. The investigated plant extracts combination therefore exhibited antioxidant activities and hepatic cell protection. The results confirmed the combined functionalities of these plants as protective against oxidative stress induced in the liver, which can be incorporated as a dietary strategy to combat hepatic stress after due clinical trials. . Graphical abstract