In Vitro Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Nepenthes Khasiana Hook. F against Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Nepenthes khasiana leaf extracts against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Approach: In vitro antioxidant activity was measured spectrophotometrically for the methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of N. khasiana using different assays i.e DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. For hepatoprotective effect, the rats of either sex were administered with 30% w/v ethanol at a dose of 5 g/kg b.w. orally for three weeks. Methanolic extract of N. khasiana leaf was administered to the experimental rats at 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg/kg, p.o. for three weeks. The hepatic markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and total proteins were evaluated and supported by histopathological studies of the liver.

Findings: The methanolic leaf extract of N. khasiana exhibited strong antioxidant capacity with IC₅₀ values of 23.33±0.441, 62.75±0.713 and 38.38±0.425 μg/mL respectively and this extract was selected for hepatoprotective studies. The results showed that administration of methanolic leaf extract of N. khasiana reversed the liver damage due to alcohol as evident from histopathological studies of the liver. The HPTLC fingerprinting analysis of the methanolic leaf extract of N. khasiana at different wavelengths revealed presence of many compounds which may provide basic information regarding the isolation, purification, characterization and identification of marker chemical compounds of the plant species.

Originality: The present study is the first time evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic leaf extract of N. khasiana on ethanol-induced liver injury in rat models. The isolation and characterisation of the active principle require extensive research in the future.

Conclusion: From our study, the methanolic leaf extract of N. khasiana shows potent hepatoprotective effects, hence it can be used as a natural protecting agent against liver damage.