(P07-005-24) Ameliorative Effect of Justicia Secunda on Liver Function Studies on N-Acetyl-P-Benzoquinone Imine Induced Hepatotoxic Rats

Objectives: The liver function Profile of hot water extract of Justicia secunda leaf on N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine ((NAPQI) induced hepatotoxic rats was investigated. Overdose of NAPQI, a reactive metabolite of Paracetamol (PCM) has been reported to cause oxidative stress leading to hepatic injury.

Methods: This investigation was carried out using 4 groups of 10 rats each comprising of GP1: Control given n-saline, GPs 2-4: given a single oral dose of 2g/kg body weight each then GPs 3 and 4: administered with 200 and 400mg/kg HWEJS daily for 7 days. Food and water were given ad libitum. On the last day, the animals were fasted overnight and then anaesthetized with chloroform inhalation and sacrificed. Whole blood was obtained by cardiac puncture and analyzed for liver function profiles.

Results: Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)and Total Bilirubin (TB) levels of the PCM only treated group increased but with significant levels (P < 0.05) on ALT and AST relative to the control and the extract treated too. The HWEJS treated groups reduced the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and TB significantly (P < 0.05). The Plasma Proteins: Albumin (ALB), Globulin (GLO) and Total Protein (TP) showed slight increase in levels dose dependently compared to the control with the lowest increase on the PCM only treated group. Hepatotoxicity is not due to the drug (PCM ) itself but the toxic metabolite (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI)) produced by cytochrome P-450 enzymes in the liver. In normal circumstances, this metabolite is detoxified by conjugating with glutathione in phase 2 reaction. In an overdose, a large amount of NAPQI is usually generated, which overwhelms the detoxification process of reduced Glutathione (GSH) leading to liver cell damage. As indicators of liver injury, AST and ALT elevated levels (on the PCM treated groups only) were reduced by the treatment with HWEJS. These reductions may suggest the hepatoprotective activity of HWEJS especially with the ALT which is a liver specific enzyme. This extract may also have prevented the release of hepatic enzymes.

Conclusions: Among other medicinal activities of Justicia secunda, this investigation has shown that it exhibits ameliorative effect on liver damage induced by N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) in albino rats.

Funding Sources: Self funded