Hepatoprotective potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis and Butea monosperma against Fe-NTA induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hibiscus rosasinensis and Butea monosperma have been traditionally claimed to be protective against liver injury. However, the hepatoprotective effect against iron overload is not yet validated scientifically. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible ameliorating effect of aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis (AQEHR) and Butea monosperma (AQEBM) against ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. After extraction, total phenolics and flavonoids content of AQEHR and AQEBM were estimated. Further, antioxidant effect followed by hepatoprotective efficacy of AQEHR and AQEBM were evaluated against chronic iron overload by administering Fe-NTA for 8 successive days to rats in increasing order of doses from 6-15mg Fe/kg. Treatments with both the extracts were started 3 days before the administration of iron and together with iron administration for 8 days. Level of liver function tests, triglycerides, protein, and lipid were recorded. Oxidative biomarkers and histopathology were performed to find out the level of protection by extracts. AQEBM contains a high amount of total phenolic and flavonoids contents and exhibited potent antioxidant effects in all assays. Supplementation of both the extract showed hepatoprotective effect by amelioration of biochemical changes and oxidative biomarkers. AQEBM possesses a higher amount of phenolic components and exhibited better therapeutic potential than AQEHR.