Hepatoprotective Effects of Hypoestes rosea in Acetaminophen-Induced Toxicity in Albino Rats

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Hypoestes rosea in acetaminophen-induced toxicity in albino rats.

Study Design: This study is a case-controlled interventional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Experimental Animal Unit of the Department of Human Physiology, University of Port- Harcourt, between June 2018 and December, 2019.

Methodology: A total of 112 adult apparently healthy albino rats weighing (180-220 g) were used for this study, the rats were divided into six experimental groups of extract control (EC), negative control (NC), positive control (PC), aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea (AEHr) 100 mg/kg body weight (b w), AEHr 200 mg/kg b w., and AEHr 300 mg/kg b w. groups each of six rats. The study groups comprised of two treatment phases each, (Pre-treatment and Post-treatment phases), duration of treatment (Acute and Sub-chronic) with six experimental groups in each of the phases. At the end of the study period, blood sample were taken through jugular vein under chloroform anaesthesia in a desiccator for liver function parameters Total Bilirubin (TB), Conjugated Bilirubin (CB), Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 5’-Nucleotidase (5’NT), Lactose Dehydrogenase (LDH), Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Total Protein (TP), Albumin (ALB) analyses using auto analyzer and AST/ALT was calculated. Liver of rats were also harvested for histology study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 and p <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Results showed that acetaminophen induced toxicity in albino rats caused hepatotoxicity as evidenced by significant elevation of TB, CB and liver enzymes with a significantly reduced TP and ALB levels (p<0.05) in the PC group when compared with other experimental groups. However, various concentrations of aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea in a dose dependent pattern at the different treatment phases at acute and sub-chronic period was able to restore the damage caused by acetaminophen induction to normal. This was also confirmed by the histology study of the experimental group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, acetaminophen induced toxicity caused hepatotoxicity that may lead to liver damage and consumption of AEHr by albino rats helped protect acetaminophen toxicity and possible damage to the liver. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that Hypoestes rosea have hepato-protective properties in albino rats and should be subjected to more advanced studies, particularly in humans.