Hepatoprotective Efficacy of Combined Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Vernonia amygdalina and Momordica charantia against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants have been integral to world healthcare in recent years and continue to hold significant value in both developed and developing countries due to their various chemotherapeutic applications. Although Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Momordica charantia (MC) are commonly utilised in the treatment of liver problems, most research has concentrated on the hepatoprotective properties of each plant in isolation. Aim: The research sought to assess the hepatoprotective effectiveness of the combination ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina and Momordica charantia in mitigating acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Study Design: The study employed the usage of completely randomised design. Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out at the Department of Biological Sciences Education at Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana, between February 2023 and September 2023. Methodology: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups, each of which had five rats. Group 1 served as the normal control and received normal saline daily for 28 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced in vivo in all animals of Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 with the oral administration of 3000 mg/kg body weight of paracetamol once daily for 14 days. Groups 2, 4, 5, and 6 received oral administrations of silymarin (100 mg/kg B.W), ethanolic leaf extract of V. amygdalina (100 mg/kg B.W), M. charantia (100 mg/kg B.W), and a combination of 100 mg/kg V. amygdalina and 100 mg/kg M. charantia daily for 14 days. Group 3 served as the acetaminophen control and received no treatment. Qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted on Vernonia amygdalina, Momordica charantia, and the two together. Haematological and biochemical parameters were assessed utilising automated analysers, while light microscopy was utilised to examine the liver histostructure. Results: The initial phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of several distinct phytochemicals. The findings of this investigation indicated that Wistar rats administered silymarin, V. amygdalina, Momordica charantia, and the combination extracts exhibited no significant (P>0.05) impact on haematological markers. Nevertheless, untreated rats exhibited a considerable (P<0.05) elevation in white blood cell count. Paracetamol at a dosage of 3000 mg/kg significantly induced hepatic toxicity, as seen by elevated serum liver enzyme activity. The histological analysis of liver architecture revealed a reduction in the incidence of paracetamol-induced hepatic lesions in all treated animals. The combined ethanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina and Momordica charantia had similar hepatoprotective effects compared to their individual extracts, as evidenced by aminotransferase activity. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that V. amygdalina, M. charantia, and the combination of V. amygdalina and M. charantia exhibited similar hepatoprotective effects.