Preliminary phytochemical and hepatoprotective studies of ethanol extract of Desmodium repandum (Vahl) D.C. in paracetamol induced liver injury in guinea pig

Justin Bazibuhe Safari 1, *, Fidel Mutelesi Bin Mutelesi 1, Alain Murhimalika Bapolisi 1, Félicien Mushagalusa Kasali 1 and Marie-Jeanne Mukazayire 2

1 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Public Health, Official University of Bukavu P.O Box 570, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
2 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Rwanda P.O. Box 4285, Huye, Republic of Rwanda.
 
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, 21(02), 056–064.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2022.21.2.0429
Publication history: 
Received on 03 October 2022; revised on 04 November 2022; accepted on 07 November 2022
 
Abstract: 
Medicinal plants are used worldwide in folk medicine to treat many diseases, including those affecting the liver, but most of those plants are not yet studied. The present study aimed at the in vivo evaluation of the hepatoprotective potential and doing a preliminary phytochemical screening of Desmodium repandum (Vahl) D.C. leaves ethanolic extract, a plant used in many regions of Africa to treat liver diseases. The presence of main phytochemical groups was assessed by using specific reactions of identification. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in male guinea pigs; the hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of paracetamol (acetaminophen) at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Silymarin was used as the reference drug at the dose of 100 mg/kg, the control group received a solution of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 1%, and the experimental groups 100 and 200 mg of the extract per kg of body weight. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, quinones, tannins, sterols, and triterpenes. At the dose of 200 mg/kg, the extract reduced significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the blood concentration of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin after intoxication by paracetamol comparatively to the control group. This work demonstrated for the first time the hepatoprotective potential of the ethanolic extract of Desmodium repandum (Vahl) D.C. leaves.
 
Keywords: 
Desmodium repandum (Vahl) DC; Phytochemical screening; Hepatoprotective; Paracetamol; Liver
 
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