Ethanol leaf extract of Hoslundia opposita in in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity using an animal model

INTRODUCTION: The liver is a valuable organ responsible for detoxifying harmful substances from the body. It plays an essential role; hence the need to ensure its protection from damages. The management of liver diseases with orthodox medicine has been found to have side effects; consequently, there have been several calls on the use of alternative medicine for the effective management of liver diseases. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and antioxidant potentials of H. opposita. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The leaves of H. oppisota harvested from a forest were processed and extracted with ethanol. The extract concentrations of 100–400 mg/ml were used to evaluate acute toxicity, biochemical analysis, in vivo antioxidants, and histopathology using an animal model. RESULTS: The acute toxicity test of H. opposita ethanol leaf extract studied for 21 days suggested safety at a concentration of 400 mg/kgbw. Weight gain in the negative control was 16.91 g, while weight loss in the positive control mice was (13.96 g). 400 mg/kg was found as the LD50 of the plant extract. A decrease in uric acid, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and bilirubin contents was observed in the single extract-treated mice and the paracetamol-induced but co-administered with extracts, while increased values were observed for protein and albumin contents. The positive control values of ALT, AST, and ALP were 66.74 ± 3.51 IU/L, 68.52 ± 3.63 IU/L, and 342 ± 3.04 IU/L, respectively, in the negative control, values were 48.16 ± 3.68 IU/L, 37.46 ± 1.52, and 89.34 ± 2.66 IU/L. There was a reduction in lipid peroxidation in the extract-treated and satellite groups. At the same time, increased values were observed for catalase and glutathione biochemical activities. The effects of a high dose of paracetamol were alleviated by the ethanol leaf extract over time. CONCLUSION: The irregularities in the in vivo biochemical, in vivo antioxidant values, and the hepatic damages caused by paracetamol toxicity were regulated on extract treatments, suggesting its use traditionally for the treatment of liver diseases.