Hepatoprotective Effects of Vitex Doniana Fruit Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Damage

The liver in the course of playing its role of detoxification, produces highly reactive molecules known as free radicals which can damage the liver. Hence, in spite of the advancement in the field of hepathology, liver disease is still on the increase. The need for a natural hepatoprotective agent motivated this study. Acute toxicity study and phytochemical screening of the ethanol fruit extract of Vitex doniana was done. The hepatoprotective study on the extract was carried out using adult albino rats. The liver damage was induced by the subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in a single dose of 2 ml/kgbw per day for 4 days. The rats were then fasted for 36 h before the oral administration of the extracts (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 21 days. Effect of the extract on histopathology of the liver was also investigated.

A significant dose-dependent (P<0.05) reduction in the levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzymes was observed in the treatment groups when compared to the negative control. The extract significantly (P<0.05) increased the serum total protein when compared to negative control. Furthermore, a dose-dependent restoration of the liver at 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg dose of the fruit extract was observed. Considering the data obtained from this study, the fruit extract of Vitex doniana could possesse hypatoprotective property.