Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic seed extract of Telfairia occidentalis on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in wistar rats

Telfairia occidentalis, a drought-resistant vegetable in West Africa, was studied for its hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in wistar rats. Earlier, the study found that the methanolic seed extract of T. occidentalis contained various phytochemicals, including tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and steroids.

Rats were treated with Telfairia occidentalis methanolic seed extract after being exposed to carbon tetrachloride for a duration of 14 days. Thirty (30) male and female Albino Wistar rats were used, and were divided into six (6) groups of five (5) animals apiece. The groups were as follows: Pre-treatment group (TOSE + CCl4 Group): this group received normal diet, water, and seed extract 400 mg/kg in 0.5 mL of olive oil for 13 days, then carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg in olive oil on the 14th day; Curative group (CCl4 + TOSE): this group received carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg administered on day 1 then seed extract for the remaining 13 days; and Concurrent Group (2CCL4 + TOSE); carbon tetrachloride 2 mL/kg given twice a week for 14 days (2 weeks) and seed extract daily.

The results of the study showed that, in comparison to the normal control group's AST (89.52 ± 4.91), ALT (33.60 ± 2.32), and ALP (31.03 ± 0.97), the group that received CCl4 alone had significantly higher serum levels of these indices AST (122.43 ± 3.89), ALT (85.80 ± 3.22), and ALP (42.78 ± 1.83) as well as liver tissue necrosis. Telfairia occidentalis seed extract treatment prevented liver damage and restored liver architecture, as evidenced by significantly lower values of ALT, ALP, and AST (84.73 ± 6.28#, ALT (52.40 ± 1.63), ALP (25.52 ± 1.60), and ALT (71.40 ± 1.69, ALP (27.68 ± 1.95#)) following or before CCl4 administration. Furthermore, the data showed that GPx, SOD, and CAT activities were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the rats given CCl4 than in the control group. The extract alone considerably raised the antioxidant levels in comparison to the control.

The study found that the treatment with Telfairia occidentalis seed extract significantly increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and SOD in rats, and also reduced levels of AST, ALT, and ALP. Authenticating the therapeutic benefits of Telfairia occidentalis seed extract.