Relevance of Chrysanthellum americanum (L.) Vatke Extracts in Rat Liver Protection

Aims: To assess the relevance of Chrysanthellum americanum (L.) Vatke extracts in rat liver protection.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Applied Chemistry (LABIOCA), also in Laboratory of Department of Medicine and Traditional Pharmacopoeia (MEPHATRA-PH) of Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS/CNRST) of Burkina Faso between July 2014 and August 2015.

Study Design: Polyphenolic extract of Chrysanthellum americanum- in vivo liver protection- in vivo liver intoxication- liver necrosis parameters analysis, histopathology analysis, in vivo and in vitro antioxidant assay.

Background: Chrysanthellum americanum L. (Vatke) is a medicinal plant well known for its flavonoids and saponins richness, but also for its strong antioxidant potential and use traditionally for liver disease treatment.

Methodology: In vivo, anti hepatotoxicity effects of Chrysanthellum americanum was evaluated using CCl4 as hepatotoxic agent. Also, acute toxicities were determined using standards methods, serum parameters of liver injury using Cypress Diagnostics kits and histopathology analysis using Mayer's haematoxylin- eosin-phloxine coloration method. For in vitro tests, malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid method were used in lipid peroxidation assessment and the ABTS method in Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity assessing.

Results: Result showed that the crude extract of C. americericum has a very low oral toxicity but, in intraperitoneal route this extract presented a high toxicity (LD50= 175 mg / kg of body weight). Histopathology micrograph indicated reduction in number of necrotic cells induced by CCl4. This beneficial action was confirmed by reduction in serum transaminases and malondialdehyde (22.68 ± 0.68 mmol MDA/ g of liver weight). In vitro antioxidant capacities, this plant extract presented a result of 35.01 ± 0.26 % and 42.01 ± 0.26 mg TE/ g respectively in LPO and TEAC.

Conclusion: Given our results, our research confirms that Chrysanthellum americanum extracts have in vivo physiological impact and benefits in traditional medicine for specific care of liver diseases.