Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Lippia multiflora Leaves against Ethanol-induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Aim: Usually called Tea of Gambia, Lippia multiflora is traditionally used for its sedative, relaxing, febrifuge, anti-flu-like, antispasmodic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, mucolytic, anti-infective and hepatoprotective properties. The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Lippia multiflora leaves against ethanol induced toxicity in rat livers.

Study Design: Thirty Wistar albino rats (100-162 g) were divided into six groups of five animals. Group 1 served as control and received only distilled water. Group 2 received only 15%ethanol (3 mL/100 g body weight/day). Group 3 served as standard group and received silymarin (70 mg/kg b.w.). Groups 4, 5 and 6 served as extract treatment groups and received respectively 100, 300 and 900 mg/kg of L. multiflora aqueous extract. 15% ethanol (3 mL/100 g b.w./day) was administered 1h after treatment in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacodynamy, Felix Houphouet-Boigny University of Cocody-Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) between September and November 2014.

Methodology: All treatment protocols followed 28 days. Animals received daily doses and were observed for psychomotor changes and other signs of toxicity including death throughout the period of study. At days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of experimental period, blood samples were collected from retro-orbital venous plexus in non-heparinized tubes and the serum levels of liver marker enzymes, biochemical metabolites and hematological parameters (numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelet count and mean cell volume)were monitored.

Results: L. multiflora extract (300 and 900 mg/kg b.w.) provides significant protection (P<0.05) against ethanol induced toxicity in rat livers showed by reduction of enzymatic parameters activities (ALT, AST and GGT). Histopathological study shows a normal hepatic architecture in L. multiflora extract (300 and 900 mg/kg b.w.) group compared to 15% ethanol group. Additionally, hematological analyses revealan increase of red blood cells and platelet count. A decrease of white blood cells and mean cell volume values in groups treated with 300 and 900 mg/kg of L. multiflora compared to 15% ethanol group is also observed.

Conclusion: Our results prove that L. multiflora extract has protective effects against ethanol-induced toxicity.