Phytochemical Screening, Investigation of the toxic and hepatoprotective effect of leaves of Prunus africana-using mice model

PurposeLiver disease is a growing public health problem both in developing and developed countries. Allopathic medicines available for liver disease are not accessible and affordable for 3rd world countries, like Ethiopia. There is a need to search for alternative therapy, in which herbals are widely used in traditional medicine and promising for the development of effective and less costly treatment. As a result, this study aimed to screen phytochemicals and investigate the toxic and hepatoprotective effects of Prunus africana which is traditionally used in Benchi sheko and Sheka Zones, Southwest Ethiopia. MethodsMethanolic extracts of Prunus africana, were used to evaluate the toxicity and hepatoprotective activity in both male and female swiss Albino Mice. Liver injury was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The toxicity and hepatoprotective activity were examined biochemically, histologically, and through the analysis of the general features of the study animals. The phytochemical composition was screened qualitatively using standard chemical tests for secondary metabolites. The results were expressed as Mean {+/-} SD, and differences at P < 0.05 were considered significant. Differences between the experimental and control groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnetts T-test to determine their level of significance. ResultsThe extract of Prunus africana revealed positive for the presence of flavonoids and Saponins but negative for Anthraquinone glycoside. The current study showed that the median oral lethal dose of the plant was greater than 5000mg/kg. The general behavior of the animal and organ weight, gross morphology, and the biochemical and histological parameters confirmed that the Methanolic leaves extract of this plant is safe during the sub-acute toxicity tests with a dose of 600 and 1800mg/kg. Methanolic extract before and after the CCl4 administration caused a significant reduction in the values of Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin (P<0.05) almost comparable to the standard drug Silymarine. The hepatoprotective activity was supported by histopathological examination of the liver tissue of control and treated animals. ConclusionThe methanolic extract of Prunus africana at the test doses did not show significant toxicity. The results of this study also demonstrate that the extract was effective for the prevention of CCl4-induced hepatic damage in Mice. This study thus justifies that, the use of Prunus africana in the treatment of liver diseases and points out that this plant warrants further detailed investigation as a promising hepatoprotective agent.