Phytoconstituents Isolation and Hepatoprotective Activity Potential of Averrhoa bilimbi Leaf Extract

Abstract

Objective: To isolate and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the crude ethanolic leaf extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Methods: The leaves of Averrhoa bilimbi were extracted by cold maceration using ethanol as a solvent, and the solvent fractions were obtained with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. Preliminary phytochemical tests were performed for the presence or absence of secondary metabolites. Plant chemical constituents were isolated using column chromatography and characterized by IR,1HNMR,13CNMR and mass spectroscopic values. Albino rats were treated with the vehicles (distilled water or 2% Tween 80), three different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of the crude ethanol extract and the standard drug (silymarin 100 mg/kg), and the hepatotoxicant paracetamol. Then, the levels of biomarkers of liver injury – such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – and liver function such as bilirubin were measured along with histopathological examination. Results: Preliminary phytochemical studies shown the presence of n-docosanoic acid and beta sitosterol from petroleum extract and from ethyl acetate a flavonoid apigenin.The ethanol extract suppressed the plasma levels of AST, ALT and ALP (P=0.05) in the aforementioned doses. Maximum hepatoprotective activity was observed at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: Averrhoa bilimbi is endowed with hepatoprotective activity, probably with the presence its chemical constituents like sterols,flavonoids and terpenoids.