Justicia secunda Vahl leaf fraction protects against acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats by alleviating oxidative stress and enhancing membrane-bound phosphatase activities

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Main Authors: Esther O Aimofumeh, Godswill N Anyasor, Ijeoma Esiaba
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020
• Subjects: justicia secunda; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; membrane-bound phosphatases; hepatoprotection; oxidative stress; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.294087; https://doaj.org/article/d78fcb4ffc8a4fab8574386e6f186ecb

Objective: To investigate the effect of Justicia secunda Vahl leaf fraction against acetaminophen-induced oxidative damage in the liver of rats. Methods: In vitro antioxidant assays were performed on Justicia secunda leaf fractions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analytical method was done. Experimental animals were orally administered with 2 g/kg b.wt. acetaminophen, 100-500 mg/kg b.wt. Justicia secunda ethyl acetate leaf fraction (JSELF), and 100 mg/kg b.wt. silymarin. Blood and liver were collected to measure hepatic, oxidative stress, and membrane-bound phosphatase markers. Results: JSELF had significantly (P<0.05) high total antioxidant capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. JSELF-treated animals had reduced plasma hepatic enzymes, serum C-reactive protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein while hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels were elevated compared with untreated control. Membrane-bound phosphatase activities were improved in JSELF-treated animals. GC-MS detected tentatively 7 antioxidants and 4 hepatoprotective compounds. Conclusions: JSELF could protect against oxidative stress and improve membrane-bound phosphatase activity in rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage.