EVALUATION OF THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CHRYSOBALANUS ICACO LEAVES

Abstract

The metabolization of substances in the human body is carried out mainly by the liver, but some substances when in excess, such as Paracetamol, can lead to liver toxicity. Chrysobalanus icaco L., a plant with potent antioxidant metabolites, shows promise in combating antioxidant imbalance and hepatoprotection action. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective action of the aqueous extract of C. icaco leaves  (EAFCi) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. For this, the plant material was collected and the leaf extract was prepared through decoction in distilled water (5:100 w/v). For the in vivo evaluation  of the hepatoprotective activity, Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 5 animals each, which were treated with saline, silymarin and EAFCi at a dose of 100 mg/kg (groups I, II and III, respectively). On the seventh day of treatment, Paracetamol was administered and, after twelve days, euthanasia was performed to remove the liver. Reduced glutathione levels, lipid peroxidation, and histopathological examination were then evaluated. With the methodology used, a reduction in MDA levels and an increase in GSH levels were observed in the groups that were administered silymarin and the 100mg/kg dose of EAFCi, when compared to the control group. In addition, in the histological analysis of the liver, it was observed that the animals treated with silymarin and with the dose of 100mg/kg of EAFCi had normal liver morphology, unlike the negative control group, which showed significant changes. In this sense, it is concluded that the administration of EAFCi at a dose of 100mg/kg in Wistar rats was able to inhibit the hepatotoxicity induced by Paracetamol by decreasing MDA, increasing GSH and preserving liver morphology.