Background: For decades, the leaves of Allium ascalonicum (commonly known as Alubosa elewe) from the Liliaceae family have been widely used in Nigeria for managing disorders. Despite its extensive use in traditional medicine, there is no scientific validation to support this traditional use.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Allium ascalonicum methanol extract (A. AMLE) in albino rats with acetaminophen-induced liver injury.
Methods: Standard procedures were employed to conduct a phytochemical screening of A. AMLE. The hepatoprotective effect of A. AMLE was assessed using biomarkers of hepatocellular indices, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Albino rats were administered distilled water or A. AMLE at doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for seven days. The treatment groups were challenged with 300 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen on the sixth day.
Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, and tannins in A. AMLE. Oral administration of A. AMLE significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated acetaminophen-induced alterations in serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and total bilirubin levels. Additionally, the acetaminophen-mediated decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were significantly ameliorated in the liver of albino rats. Elevated levels of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins-6 and -8 were significantly reduced by A. AMLE.
Conclusion: This study scientifically validates the traditional use of Allium ascalonicum leaves for liver disorder management by demonstrating that its methanol extract mitigates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, highlighting its potential as a natural hepatoprotective agent and paving the way for further research and clinical application.
Key words: Acetaminophen; antioxidant enzymes; fragmented DNA; oxidative stress and Allium ascalonicum L.
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