Protective Effect of Acanthospermum hispidum DC (Asteraceae) Extracts against Diethylnitrosamine Induced Hepatocellular Damage

Aims: Liver diseases are a major public health concern in the world. About 120 million cases of infectious HBV (the half of the world cases) are registered in sub-Saharan Africa. Burkina Faso is a country with a high endemicity of viral hepatitis. These diseases cause serious damage to the liver.

Study Design: This study aimed to assess the non-toxicity and the good hepatoprotective activities of Acanthospermum hispidum extracts.

Place and Duration of Study: Animal model tests and in vitro hepatoprotection tests were conducted from June 2017 to March 2018.

Methodology: For in vivo hepatoprotective potential study, rats were pretreated with Acanthospermum hispidum extracts at different doses and intoxicated with diethylnitrosamine. For the evaluation of the toxicity of the extracts, the OCED protocols served as a benchmark.

Results: Ethanolic extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight protected the livers of animals against hepatotoxin attacks. The safety of this extract was verified at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg and repeated doses of 300 mg/kg. Approaches on the action mechanism of the extracts were assessed using the in vitro tests.

Conclusion: Acanthospermum hispidum extracts at the doses used showed hepatoprotective potential. The in vitro activities through the inhibition of the activity of certain enzymes involved in the physiology of hepatitis made it possible to carry out approaches on the mechanisms of action of the extracts. The proven safety combined with the hepatoprotection of the extracts justifies their use against hepatic infections.