Phytolacca dodecandra (Phytolaccaceae) Root Extract Exhibits Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities in Mice with CCl₄-Induced Acute Liver Damage

Abstract

Background

The liver is a hub of metabolism and detoxification of substances. Since many redox reactions take place in the liver, it is prone to oxidative damage. Unlike conventional agents, botanicals act through several mechanisms in preventing oxidative damage. Among these Phytolacca dodecandra is the most commonly used agent in Ethiopian folk medicine.

Objective

To evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root.

Methods

Male mice were divided into six groups and treated accordingly. Negative control was given 2% Tween 80, toxicant control administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), positive control treated with silymarin 100 mg/kg, and test groups were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract. Then, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin were determined. Determination of the change in body weight and liver weight, histopathologic examination of the liver, and in vitro and in vivo antioxidant assays were also carried out.

Results

The levels of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH, and bilirubin were significantly reduced, while albumin and total protein were significantly increased after treatment with P. dodecandra root extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg in CCl₄ intoxicated mice. Cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein synthesis capabilities of the liver of mice were also returned to normal in the two doses. Besides, the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses were able to return the normal architecture and morphology of hepatocytes. Furthermore, the plant extract was found to scavenge free radicals in vitro and inhibit lipid peroxidation in vivo.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root can be used for the management of liver disease.

Background

P. dodecandra L’Her also called “gopo berry or soapberry or African soapberry” in English,1,2 “Endod” in Amharic, “Handoodee” in Afaan Oromoo,3 and “Shibti” in Tigrigna,4 belongs to the family Phytolaccaceae. It is a climbing or scrambling dioecious, semi-succulent shrub, sometimes a liana with stems up to 10–20 m long and usually glabrous, trunks up to 35 cm in diameter, and with a taproot.2 P. dodecandra is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, Asia, and tropical America.2,5 All parts of P. dodecandra are widely used in Ethiopian traditional medicine. The leaves, roots, and fruits are used orally to treat anthrax, abdominal pain, itching,4,5 rabies, leech infestation, warts, herpes virus infection,6 liver disease, and helminthiasis.4 Several ethnobotanical studies showed that the roots,4,7–11 root barks,12 leaves,13 and berries4 of P. dodecandra are used for the management of liver problems. P. dodecandra has several pharmacologically proven activities such as antirabies,14 abortifacient,15 analgesic and anti-inflammatory,16 antibacterial,17 antioxidant,18 anti-mycelial against Histoplasma capsulatum,19 molluscicidal,20–25 spermicidal,26 antimalarial,27 larvicidal against Anopheles arabiensis28 and Anopheles gambiae,29 and insecticidal against cabbage flea beetle.30 Phytochemical analysis of the parts of P. dodecandra showed that it is found to contain terpenoids, phenolics,31 and saponins.32–34

Materials and Methods

Chemicals and Reagents

Chemicals and reagents used were 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (Chemos GmbH & Co. KG, Germany), distilled water and normal saline were obtained from EPHARM (Ethiopia), ammonium hydroxide, ascorbic acid, chloroform, ethanol, ferric chloride, glacial acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, n-butanol, and sulfuric acid were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Germany), acetic anhydride, bismuth nitrate, iodine, lead acetate, mercuric chloride, potassium hydroxide, potassium iodide, sodium hydroxide, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) were purchased from Fisher Scientific (UK), eosin and hematoxylin were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (USA), ether was obtained from Puyer BioPharma Ltd., (P.R.China), 10% formalin was obtained from Novochem Engineering (India), silymarin was purchased from Silybon-140, Micro Lab Limited (India), CCl₄, liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, and Tween 80 were purchased from Oxford Lab Fine Chem LLP (India), and xylene was obtained from scienTEST - bioKEMIX GmbH (Germany). All chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade.

Plant Material

The roots of P. dodecandra were collected in May 2020 from Dessie, about 401 km north of Addis Ababa. Authentication and identification were done by a taxonomist and a voucher specimen (BGM01/2012) was deposited. Then, roots were gently washed with tap water to remove dirt and cut into pieces manually. They were allowed to dry under shade for 2 weeks and finally pulverized into coarse powder using an electrical mill.

Experimental Animals

Both male and female Swiss albino mice aged 6–8 weeks and with a weight range of 25–35 g inbred in the animal house of the Department of Pharmacy, Wollo University, were used for the experiment. The animals were housed in polypropylene cages (6 mice per cage) under standard environmental conditions (25 ± 2°C, 55 ± 5% humidity, and 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle). The animals were allowed free access to tap water and laboratory pellet and acclimatized to laboratory conditions for 1 week before the commencement of the experiment.

Preparation of Plant Extract

Three hundred grams of the coarse powder of the roots of P. dodecandra were macerated for 3 days using 80% methanol as a solvent. Then, the fluid extract was filtered using muslin cloth and Whatman^® grade 1 filter paper and the marc was re-extracted for the second and third times by adding another fresh 80% methanol. The extract was concentrated in a rotary evaporator (Buchi, Rotavapor R-210/215, Switzerland), freeze-dried in a lyophilizer (OPERON, OPR-FDU-5012, Korea), and stored in a chest freezer.

Acute Oral Toxicity Test

Female mice were used for the acute oral toxicity test of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra roots following OECD-425 guidelines.35 They fasted 3–4 h before and 1–2 h after administration of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root. First, a sighting study was performed to determine the starting dose. For this a female mouse was given a maximum dose (2000 mg/kg) of the 80% methanol extract as a single dose orally using oral gavage. Since no death was observed within 24 h, an additional four mice were used and dosed as mentioned above. Then, mice were observed continuously for 4 h at 30 min. intervals and then for 14 consecutive days with an interval of 24 h for the general signs and symptoms of toxicity (diarrhea, weight loss, tremor, lethargy, and paralysis), food and water intake, and mortality. Then, three dose levels were chosen for the extract: a middle dose; which is one-tenth of the maximum dose, a low dose; which is half of the middle dose, and a high dose that is twice the middle dose during the acute toxicity study.35

Experimental Design

Mice were randomly assigned into 6 groups (three control and three test groups) comprising of six animals per group. Negative controls were given the vehicle used for reconstitution (2% Tween 80 in water (2%TW80)) for 6 consecutive days. Positive controls were treated with the standard drug, silymarin 100 mg/kg, for 6 consecutive days and CCl₄ ((CCl₄ dissolved in an equal volume of liquid paraffin), 2 mL/kg, i.p.) on the 4th day. Toxicant controls were administered with 2%TW80 for 6 consecutive days and CCl₄ (2 mL/kg, i.p.) on the 4th day. Three test groups were treated with the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg as PDRE100, PDRE200, and PDRE400, respectively, for 6 consecutive days. All the test groups were given CCl₄ (2 mL/kg, i.p.) on the 4th day. The route of administration for the test sample, the standard drug, and the vehicle was orally using oral gavage and the volume administered was 1 mL/100 g.36,37

Hepatoprotective Activity

The hepatoprotective activity of 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was determined following Sintayehu et al36 and Meharie et al.37 The weight of each mouse was measured and recorded at the beginning (3–4 h of fasting) and the end of the experiment (on the 7th day) as initial and final body weight, respectively. After administration of respective treatment for 6 days as mentioned above in the “experimental design” section, mice were sacrificed under light ether anesthesia on the 7th day. Then, blood sample was collected from each mouse by cardiac puncture and transferred into heparinized sterile centrifuge tubes. The collected blood was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min and clear serum was separated. The separated serum was analyzed for the levels of biomarkers of liver function (levels of albumin, total protein, and total bilirubin) and chemistry (levels of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, and LDH), and levels of TC, TG, HDL, and LDL using an automatic analyzer and commercial assay kits (Cobas Integra^® 400 plus analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Japan). Besides, the hepatoprotective activity of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root can be calculated as percentage protection which is; % protection = where a; is the mean value of the marker produced by hepatotoxin, b; is the mean value of the marker produced by toxin plus test material, and c; is the mean value produced by the vehicle control.37,38

Liver Histopathological Examination

At the end of the experiment, all mice were sacrificed and their livers were harvested, weighed, and examined for microscopic pathology. The procedure was done as follows; individual liver samples were excised, washed with normal saline, and fixed in 10% formalin. Formalin-fixed tissue was washed in tap water. Then, it was dehydrated in serial ethanol and cleared in xylene. Finally, xylene cleared tissue was embedded in paraffin blocks. The paraffin blocks were sliced into sections of 5 μm in thickness and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histopathological evaluations were performed with a microscope (Olympus, Japan) and microscopic photographs were captured at 10x magnification.

Phytochemical Screening

Qualitative phytochemical investigation of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was carried out to determine the presence of medicinally active secondary metabolites like alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids using standard methods.39–43

Antioxidant Activity of P. dodecandra Root Extract

In vitro DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity

The in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was done following Sahu et al.44 Two different stock solutions were prepared by dissolving 20 mg of DPPH in a liter of methanol and 250 mg of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root in the same liter of methanol. Then, the working solution was prepared by mixing 3.9 mL of DPPH solution with 0.1 mL of the sample solution. Blank solvent (methanol) was used to set the UV spectrophotometer (SHIMADZU UV-1800, Kyoto, Japan) at zero to cancel the solvent effect. DPPH solution was transferred into test tubes and the extract was added and followed by serial dilution. Then, the solution was incubated for 30 min at room temperature in a dark place and the absorbance was recorded at 517 nm using a UV spectrophotometer. Ascorbic acid was used as a reference standard and dissolved in methanol to make the stock solution with the same concentration.

The percent scavenging activity can be calculated as:

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Analysis of Liver Lipid Peroxidation

Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) Assay

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay was conducted according to the method of Oakes et al.46 A molecule of malondialdehyde (MDA) forms an adduct with two TBA molecules to produce a red chromogen that absorbs ultraviolet-light at 532 nm. This assay was done by measuring the level of MDA spectrophotometrically. Primarily, 1 mL of the liver homogenate was mixed with 1 mL TCA (10% w/v) and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min. Then, 1 mL of TBA (0.67% w/v) was added to an equal volume of supernatant and incubated at 95°C for 60 min. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature in an ice bath for 10 min. One mL of n-butanol was added to precipitate the MDA-TBA complex. Then, n-butanol was removed and the precipitate was dissolved in water. Absorbance was recorded at 532 nm against an appropriate blank without the sample. The content of TBARS in the samples was calculated and the results were expressed as MDA equivalents in nmol/g of liver tissue.

Statistical Analysis

The results of the study are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean (S.E.M). Statistical analysis of the data was performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey post hoc multiple comparison test to determine the difference between the mean values of different groups. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Ethical Consideration

Mice were handled according to the international animal care and welfare,47 and the national institute of health guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals.48

Results

Acute Oral Toxicity Test

The acute oral toxicity test of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root indicated that it did not cause gross behavioral changes and mortality within 24 h and up to 14 days later. Therefore, the LD₅₀ was estimated to be greater than 2000 mg/kg in mice.

Hepatoprotective Activity

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Body Weight, Change in Body Weight, and Absolute and Relative Liver Weight of Mice

The effect of 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root on body weight, changes in body weight, and absolute and relative liver weight of mice is shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Effect of 80% Methanol Extract of P. dodecandra Root on Body Weight, Change in Body Weight, and Absolute and Relative Liver Weight of Mice

Group	Body Weight (g)		Change in Body Weight	Liver Weight (g)	Relative Liver Weight (%)
	Initial	Final
2%TW80	27.54 ± 0.66	28.86 ± 0.74	1.32 ± 0.38	2.18 ± 0.09	7.61 ± 0.48
CCl4	28.42 ± 0.94	25.07 ± 0.90a###	−3.35 ± 0.69a###	4.26 ± 0.16a###	17.00 ± 0.35a###
Silymarin + CCl4	27.60 ± 0.71	29.92 ± 0.32b###	2.32 ± 0.44b###	2.20 ± 0.18b###	7.35 ± 0.58b###
PDRE100 + CCl4	27.50 ± 0.89	25.34 ± 1.16a###,c###,d##,e###	−2.16 ± 0.56a###,c###,d##,e###	4.02 ± 0.21a###,c###,d##,e###	15.93 ± 0.68a###,c###,d##,e###
PDRE200 + CCl4	28.20 ± 0.80	30.04 ± 0.83b###	1.84 ± 0.17b###	2.46 ± 0.19b###	8.19 ± 0.53b###
PDRE400 + CCl4	27.94 ± 0.96	30.26 ± 1.13b###	2.32 ± 0.34b###	2.24 ± 0.12b###	7.46 ± 0.52b###

Notes: Each value represents mean ± S.E.M; n=6; ^aAgainst 2%TW80; ^bAgainst CCl₄; ^cAgainst standard (silymarin); ^dAgainst PDRE200 + CCl₄; ^eAgainst PDRE400 + CCl₄; ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.001.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

PDRE100 treated mice did not show increment in the final body weight, whereas, PDRE200 and PDRE400 administered mice produced a significant increase in the final body weight (p<0.001), as compared to the toxicant control (Table 1). PDRE200 and PDRE400 produced a significant decrement in the absolute and relative liver weight of mice (p<0.001), as compared to the toxicant control. In contrast, the CCl₄-administered group resulted in significantly (p<0.001) decreased final body weight of mice, whilst their absolute and relative liver weight significantly increased (p<0.001) as compared to the negative control (Table 1).

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Liver Function of Mice

Table 2 presents the effect of P. dodecandra root extract on the synthesis and detoxification functions of the liver of mice. PDRE100 did not show significant alteration in all of the parameters shown in Table 2 below as compared to the toxicant control. On the other hand, PDRE200 and PDRE400 treated mice showed a significantly increased level of albumin (p<0.05) and (p<0.001), respectively, and total protein (p<0.01), and a significantly decreased level of bilirubin (p<0.001) as compared to the toxicant control (Table 2).

Table 2.

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on the Synthetic and Detoxifying Functions of Liver of Mice

Group	Albumin (mg/dL)	Total Protein (g/dL)	Bilirubin (mg/dL)
2%TW80	3.21 ± 0.35	5.62 ± 0.38	1.02 ± 0.42
CCl4	1.49 ± 0.20a##	3.78 ± 0.43a##	3.11 ± 0.51a###
Silymarin + CCl4	3.14 ± 0.31b###	5.40 ± 0.52b##	1.07 ± 0.44b###
PDRE100 + CCl4	1.88 ± 0.19 a###,c###,d#,e##	4.01 ± 0.61 a##,c##,d##,e##	2.57 ± 0.25a###,c###,d###,e###
PDRE200 + CCl4	2.73 ± 0.32b#	5.18 ± 0.17b##	1.14 ± 0.39b###
PDRE400 + CCl4	3.08 ± 0.15b###	5.35 ± 0.35b##	1.10 ± 0.13b###

Notes: Each value represents mean ± S.E.M; n=6; ^aAgainst 2%TW80; ^bAgainst CCl₄; ^cAgainst standard (silymarin); ^dAgainst PDRE200 + CCl₄; ^eAgainst PDRE400 + CCl₄; ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.001.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Liver Chemistry of Mice

The 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root resulted in a significant decline in liver chemistry biomarkers of hepatocyte injury following hepatotoxicant administration (Table 3). Liver chemistry biomarkers of hepatocyte injury such as ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, and LDH significantly increased in CCl₄ treated mice by 187.7% (p<0.001), 495.2% (p<0.001), 555.6% (p<0.001), 140.9% (p<0.001), and 165.2% (p<0.001), respectively (Table 3). In contrast, mice pre- and post-treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of P. dodecandra root extract significantly decreased CCl₄ induced elevation in ALP by 83.4% and 96.0%, ALT by 88.7% and 93.4%, AST by 85.6% and 95.4%, GGT by 66.6% and 76.9%, and LDH by 89.4% and 91.8%, respectively (Table 3). As it is presented in Table 3, PDRE400 demonstrated nearly equal hepatoprotective activity to the standard drug (silymarin).

Table 3.

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Liver Chemistry of Mice

Group	ALP (IU/L)	ALT (IU/L)	AST (IU/L)	GGT (IU/L)	LDH (IU/L)
2%TW80	94.61 ± 4.02	41.54 ± 3.12	32.86 ± 2.76	56.14 ± 3.69	214.55 ± 6.32
CCl4	272.18 ± 7.86a###	247.26 ± 9.32a###	215.42 ± 8.68a###	135.23 ± 4.45 a###	568.92 ± 12.30 a###
Silymarin + CCl4	99.41 ± 4.09(97.3)b###	48.74 ± 4.26(96.5)b###	36.33 ± 3.27(98.1)b###	66.40 ± 2.97(87.0) b###	237.21 ± 8.42(93.6) b###
PDRE100 + CCl4	251.23 ± 4.28(11.8)a###,c###,d###,e###	226.28 ± 5.04(10.2) a###,c###,d###,e###	192.78 ± 6.84(12.4) a###,c###,d###,e###	127.81 ± 5.22(9.4) a###,c###,d###,e###	491.67 ± 10.06(21.8) a###,c###,d###,e###
PDRE200 + CCl4	124.09 ± 5.21(83.4)b###,c#,e#	64.79 ± 4.89(88.7)b###,c#	59.15 ± 5.74(85.6)b###	82.58 ± 3.87(66.6) b###	252.11 ± 9.78(89.4) b###
PDRE400 + CCl4	101.71 ± 3.96(96.0)b###	55.12 ± 4.51(93.4)b###	41.26 ± 3.44(95.4)b###	74.38 ± 4.16(76.9) b###	243.61 ± 8.74(91.8) b###

Notes: Each value represents mean ± S.E.M; n=6; ^aAgainst 2%TW80; ^bAgainst CCl₄; ^cAgainst standard (silymarin); ^dAgainst PDRE200 + CCl₄; ^eAgainst PDRE400 + CCl₄; ^#p < 0.05, ^###p < 0.001.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Lipid Profile of Mice

The effect of 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root on TC, TG, HDL, and LDL is shown in Table 4. As it is presented in Table 4 mice treated with 100 mg/kg of P. dodecandra root extract did not show a significant alteration in the levels of TC, TG, and LDL as compared to the toxicant control. Whereas, mice treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg produced significantly increased levels of TC, TG, and LDL (p<0.001) as compared to the CCl₄ treated group. Similarly, the standard drug significantly increased the levels of TC, TG, and LDL (p<0.001) as compared to the toxicant control. On the contrary, neither the plant extract nor the standard drug significantly affected the HDL level as compared to the toxicant control (Table 4).

Table 4.

Effect of 80% Methanol Extract of P. dodecandra Root on Lipid Profile of Mice

Group	TC (mg/dL)	TG (mg/dL)	HDL (mg/dL)	LDL (mg/dL)
2%TW80	95.42 ± 3.18	62.39 ± 2.41	33.71 ± 1.48	42.90 ± 3.04
CCl4	52.61 ± 6.42a###	31.47 ± 5.36 a###	29.62 ± 2.06	26.46 ± 5.13 a###
Silymarin + CCl4	93.83 ± 3.81b###	58.26 ± 2.98 b###	32.54 ± 1.66	40.28 ± 2.62 b###
PDRE100 + CCl4	58.94 ± 6.46a###,c###,d##,e###	37.80 ± 5.29 a###,c###,d##,e###	30.19 ± 1.80	28.72 ± 3.76 a##,c###,d##,e###
PDRE200 + CCl4	84.27 ± 2.87 b###	54.54 ± 4.60 b###	32.08 ± 2.24	36.39 ± 2.11 b###
PDRE400 + CCl4	91.63 ± 4.22 b###	57.65 ± 3.21 b###	32.36 ± 1.98	39.85 ± 2.19 b###

Notes: Each value represents mean ± S.E.M; n=6; ^aAgainst 2%TW80; ^bAgainst CCl₄; ^cAgainst standard (silymarin); ^dAgainst PDRE200 + CCl₄; ^eAgainst PDRE400 + CCl₄; ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.001.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

Effect of P. dodecandra Root Extract on Histology of Liver of Mice

The effect of P. dodecandra root extract on the histology of the liver of mice is presented in Figure 1. In this study, histological observations provided supportive evidence for biochemical analysis. As shown in Figure 1A below, mice treated with 2%TW80 revealed normal hepatic cells with intact cytoplasm, prominent nucleus and nucleolus, and well defined central vein. In stark contrast, the toxicant group exhibited cells with prominent infiltration, necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and dilation of blood vessels Figure 1B. Administration of silymarin however returned inflamed and necrotized cells to their normal architecture (Figure 1C). In a similar manner to silymarin, the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root protected the mice liver from CCl₄ mediated injury as it is observed in Figure 1 below. P. dodecandra root extract normalized the defects observed in the histopathology of the liver of mice treated with CCl₄ nearly to the level of the negative control group in its 200 mg/kg (Figure 1E) and 400 mg/kg (Figure 1F) doses. On the other hand, the liver section of the mouse treated with 100 mg/kg of P. dodecandra root extract revealed disarrangement of hepatocytes, well-observed hepatic lesions, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and necrosis (Figure 1D).

Figure 1.

Microphotograph of hematoxylin and eosin (H & E)-stained sections of liver. Microscopic glass slides were prepared in 50µm intervals.

Notes: (A) negative control (received 2%TW80 only), (B) toxicant control (administered with CCl₄ only), (C) positive control (Silymarin + CCl₄), (D) PDRE100 + CCl₄, (E) PDRE200 + CCl₄, (F) PDRE400 + CCl₄.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

Phytochemical Screening

The 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was examined for the composition of medicinally active secondary metabolites and it was found to be positive for polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids (Table 5). On the other hand, alkaloids, anthraquinone glycosides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids were not detected in the plant extract.

Table 5.

Phytochemical Screening of 80% Methanol Extract of P. dodecandra Root

Phytochemical	Test Method	Observation	Result
Alkaloids	Bouchardat’s reagent test	Brown precipitate was not observed	Absence of alkaloids
	Dragendorff’s reagent test	Red-orange precipitate was not formed	Absence of alkaloids
	Mayer’s reagent test	Yellowish-white precipitate was not formed	Absence of alkaloids
	Wagner’s reagent test	A red-brown precipitate was not formed	Absence of alkaloids
Anthraquinone Glycosides	Borntrager’s test	Red color was not occurred	Absence of anthraquinone glycosides
	Ammonium hydroxide test	Pink-red color was not formed	Absence of anthraquinone glycosides
Cardiac Glycosides	Keller-Kiliani test	No formation of brown-ring between layers	Absence of cardiac glycosides
Flavonoids	Alkaline reagent test	Yellow fluorescence was not present	Absence of flavonoids
	Shinoda test	Red-pink color was not formed	Absence of flavonoids
Polyphenols	Lead acetate test	A bulky white precipitate was formed	Presence of polyphenols
	Ferric chloride test	Blue-green color was formed	Presence of polyphenols
Saponins	Frothing test	A stable persistent froth was formed	Presence of saponins
Steroids	Libermann-Buchard test	No formation of brown ring at the interface	Absence of steroids
Tannins	Ferric chloride test	Blue or purple or green precipitate was formed	Presence of tannins
Terpenoids	Salkowski test	A reddish-brown precipitate was formed	Presence of terpenoids

Antioxidant Activity of P. dodecandra Root Extract

DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity

The antioxidant activity of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was evaluated by measuring its free radical scavenging power using DPPH free radicals and the data are presented in Figure 2. It was observed that the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root had a concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity. The calculated IC₅₀ values for the extract and standard were 7.4 μg/mL and 6.2 μg/mL, respectively. In a similar manner, the maximum percentage inhibition of free radicals by the extract and the standard were 94% and 99%, respectively, at a concentration of 20 μg/mL (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

DPPH radical scavenging activity of P. dodecandra root extract.

Abbreviations: PDRE, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract; Ascorbic acid, standard antioxidant.

Analysis of Liver Lipid Peroxidation

TBARS Assay

Figure 3 below shows the effect of P. dodecandra root extract on the inhibition of lipid peroxidation reaction in CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity.

Figure 3.

Effect of P. dodecandra root extract on MDA levels.

Notes: Each value represents mean ± S.E.M; n=6.

Abbreviations: PDRE100, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 100 mg/kg; PDRE200, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 200 mg/kg; PDRE400, Phytolacca dodecandra root extract 400 mg/kg; Silymarin, silymarin 100 mg/kg; CCl₄, carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg; 2%TW80, 2% Tween 80 in water.

A significantly increased level of MDA (14.64 ± 1.26 nmol/g of the liver) was obtained in the CCl₄ intoxicated group as compared to the negative control (4.82 ± 0.46 nmol/g of the liver) (p<0.001). But PDRE200 and PDRE400 showed a significant decrement in the levels of MDA 8.43 ± 1.24 and 6.24 ± 1.16 nmol/g of liver tissue (p<0.01) respectively, as compared to the toxicant control. The MDA level of mice treated with 100 mg/kg of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root is significantly higher than that of the standard (10.22 ± 1.35 nmol/g of liver vs 6.78 ± 1.14 nmol/g of the liver) (p<0.01) (Figure 3).

Discussion

The liver has a crucial role in life because it performs a vast array of biochemical and metabolic functions, including synthesis and elimination of numerous substances.49 Since it is the first port of call for most nutrients absorbed across the gut wall and site of oxidation of most compounds, it is highly susceptible to oxidative stress and related damage.49 So, it is highly imperative to demonstrate the hepatoprotective activity of the plant extract in the presence of hepatotoxicant that causes oxidative damage.

P. dodecandra is the most commonly used plant in Ethiopian folk medicine for the treatment of liver disease.4,7–11 Its hepatoprotective activity was investigated pharmacologically by using a hepatotoxic agent, CCl₄. Since CCl₄ is a widely used hepatotoxicant in an experimental model of liver injury.36,37 The highly reactive metabolites of CCl₄ such as trichloromethyl (CCl₃⋅) and trichloromethyl peroxyl (CCl₃O₂⋅) radicals are the main players in hepatocyte injury. They deactivate antioxidant enzymes and thereby alter the antioxidant state of hepatocytes.50,51

As per the traditional claim, the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root was administered to mice in three different doses pre- and post-dose of CCl₄. As it is presented in Table 1, CCl₄ intoxicated mice had decreased final body weight and increased change in body weight and both absolute and relative liver weight as compared to the negative control. Proliferation, cytoplasmic vacuolization, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and deposition of collagen fibers in the hepatocytes are critical determinants for the survival of the liver from an injury.51 This was evidenced by the histopathology of the liver of mice given CCl₄ in which there was a profound disarrangement, inflammation, and infiltration of liver cells (Figure 1B). Therefore, up-regulation of hepatocyte activity in response to CCl₄ toxicity is likely to be the cause of the recorded increase in liver weight.

In stark contrast, mice treated with P. dodecandra root extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg pre- and post-dose of CCl₄ were returned to their normal final body weight and absolute and relative liver weight as compared to the toxicant control (Table 1). Similarly, the hepatocyte architecture of mice treated with PDRE200 and PDRE400 was returned to normal (Figure 1E and F, respectively). On the other hand, P. dodecandra root extract administration to mice pre- and post-dose of CCl₄ normalized the liver’s metabolic capability in a dose-dependent manner (Table 2). In the injured liver, there are depressed levels of total protein and albumin due to disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism or perturbed protein biosynthesis.52 The marked reduction of total protein and albumin synthesis and substantially increased bilirubin levels in the CCl₄ treated mice agreed with the early observations.36,37

The liver plays an essential role in lipid metabolism, synthesis and oxidation of cholesterol, and synthesis of lipoproteins.52 However, mice intoxicated with CCl₄ showed significantly reduced levels of TC, TG, and LDL which is reasonably expected since cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver has been reduced. Whereas treatment with P. dodecandra root extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg returned the metabolic function of the liver as evidenced in the levels of TC, TG, LDL, and HDL, which were normalized as compared to the toxicant control (Table 4).

CCl₄ is known to damage liver cells via oxidation of membrane lipids and other cellular components.51 The damage of the hepatocyte membrane resulted in the release of cellular components and enzymes. The serum level of liver enzymes helps to diagnose and monitor liver disease or damage. Alteration in the structure and function of the liver resulted in a marked elevation in the levels of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, and LDH.53 An agent that returns the levels of these enzymes to normal is considered hepatoprotective since these enzymes are at a high level in plasma following hepatocyte injury.53 According to this study, mice received P. dodecandra root extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant reduction in the levels of liver enzymes (Table 3). This can be evidenced from the percent reduction of the levels of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, and LDH for the two mentioned doses, where PDRE400 displayed a better activity than PDRE200 (96.0%, 93.4%, 95.4%, 76.9%, and 91.8% vs 83.4%, 88.7%, 85.6%, 66.6%, and 89.4%), respectively (Table 3). Probably P. dodecandra root extract might stabilize hepatocyte membranes and interrupt the release of enzymes from the liver into blood especially in the two larger doses. However, PDRE100 did not produce a visible effect in all biomarkers of hepatocyte injury. This is probably due to the lower dose might contain a low level of active principles and the other two doses might have enough concentration of active substances that can elicit the observed effect.

Results of histopathological examination served as compelling evidence in supporting the biochemical markers of liver injury. PDRE200 and PDRE400 treated mice resulted in a marked decrease in the hepatocyte ballooning, cytoplasmic vacuolization, derangement of hepatocytes, and infiltration of hepatocyte membrane with inflammatory cells and collagen fibers (Figure 1E and F, respectively). Besides treatment with P. dodecandra root extract inhibits CCl₄ induced formation of lipid peroxides in the liver of mice. Since the toxicity mechanism of CCl₄ is peroxidation of membrane lipids after bio-activated to its toxic metabolites.51 In this study peroxidation of lipids was determined by measuring the levels of MDA, an end product of lipid peroxidation, in hepatic tissues. CCl₄ intoxication induced a marked increase in tissue MDA levels as compared with the negative control (P<0.001; Figure 3). On the contrary, treatment with P. dodecandra root extract returned the increased MDA to its normal level. This showed that CCl₄ mediated oxidative damage is reversed by administration of the plant extract and probably prevents the liver from free radical-induced injury and subsequent pathological changes.

Though the active principles present in the P. dodecandra root extract are not identified, polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids were found to have antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities via several mechanisms.

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root for the presence and absence of several medicinally active secondary metabolites was done and polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids were found in the plant extract (Table 5). Probably phytochemicals present in the plant extract act individually or in synergy to produce the observed antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and hepatoprotective effects.

Previous studies revealed that phenolic compounds have several antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. They prevent oxidative induced cellular damage by inhibiting enzymes involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), through neutralizing ROS, and up-regulation of antioxidant defenses.55–57 Oxidative stress promotes inflammation via activation of genes and thereby the expression of several proteins (enzymes) involved in the inflammatory pathways.58 Polyphenols also have an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of enzymes involved in the inflammatory process following membrane damage such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase (LOX), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS).59 In addition, they are also known for donating hydrogen atoms in the prevention of lipid peroxidation.60

Tannins are also hepatoprotective secondary active metabolites either by their antioxidant activity (donate hydrogen atom or electrons, chelate metal ions, and interfere in the Fenton reaction)61 or via inhibition of apoptosis through increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.62 Besides, they also inhibit lipid peroxidation via inhibition of COX-2.61 Terpenoids and saponins are also natural hepatoprotective compounds.63,64 They inhibit the formation of ROS, scavenge free radicals, inhibit peroxidation of lipids, suppress prooxidants and increase antioxidants, up-regulate nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant signaling,65 and inhibit apoptosis through activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.66

To confirm the antioxidant activity of P. dodecandra root extract, DPPH free radical scavenging activity was carried out. In this assay, P. dodecandra root extract was observed to inhibit DPPH free radicals with the maximum value of 94% at the concentration of 20 µg/mL (Figure 2) and had a calculated IC₅₀ value of 7.4 μg/mL, which is nearly similar to the calculated IC₅₀ value of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid, i.e. 6.2 μg/mL. The presence of potent phytochemicals in the extract may be responsible for the observed antioxidant activity.

To sum up, the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root possessed comparable antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities with the respective standards used in the study. Based on the results of this study P. dodecandra root extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in the biomarkers of liver damage and MDA level and increment in the metabolic functions of the liver. Even though the plant exact might have several mechanisms of hepatoprotective actions, lipid peroxidation inhibition and free radical scavenging activities are among the demonstrated mechanisms. Above all, the plant extract would be rewarded as safe based on the results of the acute oral toxicity study. Also, isolation and characterization of the specific hepatoprotective compound will be done in future studies by using HPLC/LC-MS techniques.

Conclusion

The results of serum biochemical analysis, histopathological investigations, and both in vitro and in vivo antioxidant studies provide evidence for the folkloric use of P. dodecandra for the management of liver problems. The middle and larger doses of P. dodecandra root extract produced remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities that were comparable to silymarin. The presence of medicinally active secondary metabolites in the plant extract may justify the observed hepatoprotective, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and in vitro free radical scavenging activities.

Funding Statement

No funding was received for this work.

Abbreviations

ALP, Alkaline phosphatase; ALT, Alanine aminotransferase; AST, Aspartate aminotransferase; CCl_4, Carbon tetrachloride; DPPH, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; GGT, Gamma-glutamyl transferase; HDL, High-density lipoprotein; LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase; LDL, Low-density lipoprotein; MDA, Malondialdehyde; ROS, Reactive oxygen species; TBARS, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance; TC, Total cholesterol; TG, Triglyceride.

Data Sharing Statement

All the necessary data and materials can be obtained from the corresponding author with a reasonable request.

Ethics Approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of Wollo University.

Consent for Publication

The authors have consented to the publication of this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution from the conception and design of the study to the execution, acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. Besides, they took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the manuscript, gave final approval of the version to be published, have agreed on the journal to which the manuscript has been submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.