ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Therapeutic effects of hydroethanolic extract of Erythrina senegalensis in diclofenac sodium-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rat: biochemical, redox potential and histopathological outcomes

Background: Hepatotoxicity is one of the main side effects associated with Diclofenac sodium (DFS) administration. The present study aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Erythrina senegalensis (HELEES) on DFS-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty male Wistar rats, 5 per group, were used in this study. They were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (A–F) and treated for 21 days. Rats in Group A served as the control group and received distilled water orally; group B was given DFS at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (IP). HELEES were given to groups C and D at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Groups E and F were given DFS at 10 mg/kg + HELEES at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively.

Results: DFS administration significantly increased the bilirubin concentration and serum transaminases (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP) and LDH; total protein and albumin were significantly inhibited. There was a significant reduction in hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and nitric oxide (NO) activity, together with a significant increase in hepatic malondialdehyde (MAD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). However, concurrent treatment with DFS + HELEES ameliorated the DFS-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. The results suggest that HELEES may offer some therapeutic effects against hepatic damage. In contrast to the control and HELEES-only groups, which had normal hepatic tissue morphology, rats given DFS alone developed hepatic necrosis and periportal inflammation, with the presence of numerous inflammatory cells and Kuppel cells. Examinations of liver samples from the groups given Concurrent treatment with DFS and HELEES revealed patterns that were comparable to those seen in the control group. Combining DFS with HELEES has always reduced the impact of DFS.

Conclusions: Collectively, HELEES enhanced hepatic function in DFS-treated rats by suppressing nitrosative and oxidative stress.