Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Solanum villosum leaf extracts against acetaminophen-induced mouse model of hepatotoxicity

Solanum villosum is an indigenous vegetable and ethno-medicine source in Africa. Scientific validation of their medicinal potential is required. The current study aimed to assess the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of S. villosum leaf methanol extracts (SVE) against acetaminophen-induced mouse model. The SVE antioxidant activities were evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant capacity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities in vitro. Hepatoprotective activities were assessed by automated hematological analysis, chemical analysis and specific biochemical assays of liver homogenates. Mice were orally administered with SVE at 30, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight. Hepatotoxicity was induced by acetaminophen 300 mg/kg bw intraperitoneally while silymarin 25 mg/kg bw orally was a positive control. The SVE exhibited a clear concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. Subsequently, SVE treatment significantly (P≤0.05) lowered granulocyte count, while there was a significant increase in lymphocyte count in acetaminophen-treated mice. Further, SVE significantly lowered the activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, but significantly increased γ-glutamyl-transferase activity in treated mice compared to the controls. However, SVE led to insignificant change in total proteins. Additionally, SVE treatment led to a significant rise in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities but, an insignificant change in catalase activity. In conclusion, SVE confers liver protection by oxidative stress prevention, antioxidant enzyme activation, immuno-modulation and hepatic tissue preservation. The results also support indigenous use of S. villosum to protect patients against drug-induced liver damage and enhance immunity. Further, dietary supplements of S. villosum could be an adjunct therapy in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.