HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT FROM Cassia rhombifolia Roxb FRUIT AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN MICE

Abstract

Cassia rhombifolia Roxb., a medium-sized woody plant that prefers sunlight, grows rapidly, tolerates drought well, and is widely distributed throughout Vietnam from the delta to the mountainous regions. For a long time, C. rhombifolia has been used by Vietnamese folk medicine as a remedy for constipation, fever, edema, cardiovascular disorders, inflammation and liver damage, excess stomach acid, and other conditions. In current research, the hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extract from C. rhombifolia fruit (EtCR) against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice were investigated. Results were compared with those of silymarin, a standard liver-protective drug. It was found that the serum transaminase activity, levels of cytokines causing inflammation, and activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase and antioxidant enzymes in the livers of mice with CCl₄ (0.5 mL/kg; ip)-induced liver injury were increased. Treatment with EtCR for 8 weeks prevented these intermediate changes. Histopathological examination also confirmed the liver-protective activity of EtCR when compared to the CCl₄ control group. In conclusion, these results indicate that ethanol extract from Cassia rhombifolia fruit (C. rhombifolia) exhibits hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice.