Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of flavonoid fraction (FF) of Platycerium angolense on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rat with a view to considering the possibility of utilizing the extracts of the plant for the management and treatment of liver related ailments. Powdered leaves of P. angolense were extracted with methanol 70% (v/v) to yield methanolic extract of P. angolense (MEPA). The MEPA followed successive partitioning with n-hexane, chloroform and ethylacetate. The ethylacetate fraction was termed flavonoid fraction (FF). FF was phytochemically screened and total phenolic and flavonoid contents estimated. Biochemical effects of FF on liver marker enzymes (L-alanine and L-aspartate aminotransferases, gamma glutamyltransferase, acid and alkaline phosphatases); lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol) enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation) and metabolites (total protein, albumin and bilirubin) were evaluated in the plasma and liver homogenates of albino rats. Phytochemical screening of FF tested positive for the presence of flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. The total phenolics and flavonoids in FF were (33.58 ± 0.11 mg TAE/g, 50.98 ± 0.89 mg RE/g), respectively. Analyses of plasma and liver homogenates of rats (control and experimental) revealed that acetaminophen caused metabolic dysfunction in acetaminophen-induced rats. Administration of FF reversed the altered biochemical parameters. The study concluded that FF of P. angolense increases plasma lipid profile level, exhibits moderate anti-oxidant activity and elicits hepatoprotective potential.

Key words: Hepatotoxicity, Platycerium angolense, acetaminophen, flavonoids, flavonoid fraction.