Investigation of the Hepatoprotective Properties of L. coromandelica Bark Extract Against Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Similar to viral hepatitis in humans, paracetamol causes liver damage. Recent developments indicate that traditional plants have been used to treat hepatotoxicity. The current study has been performed to investigate the effectiveness of Lannea coromandelica (LC) bark in reducing the hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol in rats due to its application in folk medicine. Rats (150–200 g) were split up into 5 groups (n=6). Paracetamol (600 mg/kg body weight) was given once daily for a week, causing acute hepatotoxicity, while the plant extract under investigation was taken orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for the duration of the experiment. As is customary for hepatoprotective medications, silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally. Hepatoprotection was ascertained by estimating biochemical indicators such as ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin and globulin level.Treatment with LC extracts significantly attenuated the increased plasma levels of ALT (p<0.05), AST (p<0.05) and ALP (p<0.001) level whereas insignificantly improved total protein, albumin and globulin level. The extract insignificantly progressed the body weight and significantly increased the liver weight (p<0.05) as compared to the disease control animals. The estimated biomarkers provide evidence that the Lannea coromandelica bark extract has shown hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 254-260, 2026 (July)