Protective Activity of <i>Markhamia tomentosa</i>(Benth.) K. Schum. (Bignoniaceae) Methanol Leaves Extract against D-Galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. (Mt) is a Cameroonian medicinal plant, traditionally used to treat painful and inflammatory illness. This study aimed to examine the effects of methanol leaves extract (MLE) of Mt in D-galactosamine (D-GaIN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. The MLE (100 and 200 mg/kg), Ascorbic acid (10 mg/kg) and distilled water were administered 12 h and 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of D-GaIN (10 mg/mouse)/LPS (0.1 μg/g). Animals were sacrificed 6 h after D-GalN/LPS challenge. Liver injury was assessed biochemically by determination of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitrites, total protein and bilirubin levels were explored. Histopathological examination of liver tissue was also performed. Liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT, ALP) activity, nitrites, MDA and bilirubin levels were increased, while protein level, SOD and catalase activities were significantly reduced by D-GalN/LPS administration. MLE (100 or 200 mg/kg) protected mice against D-GalN/LPS-induced death. In addition, the plant extract significantly reduced ALAT and ALP activity, exhibiting 23.00% and 62.20% protection, respectively. SOD activity and total protein were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by the plant extract. Total bilirubin and MDA levels were reduced (p < 0.01) by 37.75% and 62.79%, respectively in animal treated with MLE. Histological analysis of liver sections showed that MLE (100 or 200 mg/kg) protected mice against D-GaIN/LPS-induced liver injury. The obtained results showed that MLE of Mt may possess hepatoprotective effects. Protection afforded by MLE against D-GalN/LPS-induced fulminant liver injury may result from reduction of oxidative stress.