Moses Dele Adams
Clinical Biochemistry, Phytopharmacology and Biochemical Toxicology Research Laboratory (CBPBT-RL),
Department of Biochemistry, Baze University, Abuja 900108, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: moses.adams@bazeuniversity.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010086
ABSTRACT
The exposure to most drugs presents with toxicological effect(s) which are detrimental to cells of the biological systems. This study therefore investigated the possible mechanism of hepatoprotection of Digitaria exilis methanol grain extract (DEMGE) against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxic experimental models.
Twenty-five rats (n = 5) were divided into five groups. Animals in Group I (control) received distilled water (DW). Animals in Groups II–V, which were induced into hepatotoxicity (using 3 mg/kg body weight (BW) of acetaminophen intraperitoneally), were administered DW, 25 mg/kg BW of silymarin (reference drug), and 250 and 500 mg/kg BW of DEMGE, respectively.
The animals were treated for 14 days, followed by assessment of serum and liver biomarkers as well as liver histological examination. The phytochemical screening of DEMGE revealed flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, and tannins.
Acetaminophen significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum levels of MDA and H₂O₂ and liver activities of ALP, ALT, and AST, and lowered (p < 0.05) the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, and TP when compared with the sham control. Treatment of the hepatotoxic animals with DEMGE normalized these observations when compared with the DW-treated animals, in a manner not comparable with silymarin.
Liver histology of the DW-treated hepatotoxic animals, which showed fat-degenerated liver parenchyma, acute hepatocellular necrosis, central vein inflammation, severe hepatocyte vacuolation, fat infiltration (steatosis), mild aggregate of inflammatory cell infiltration, and degenerated liver sinusoids, was normalized by DEMGE.
The study suggests that D. exilis is a potential hepatoprotective agent against acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury through reduced oxidative stress, improved hepatic function, and reduced hepatocellular necrosis.
Keywords:
Digitaria exilis,
Acetaminophen,
Hepatoprotective agent,
Hepatocellular necrosis”
Reduced glutathione.

