Isolation, characterization, structural elucidation and in vivo hepatoprotective studies of phytoconstituents obtained from the fruits of <i>Cordia obliqua</i> Willd

Abstract

Purpose: To isolate, characterize, and investigate the hepatoprotective effect of phyto-constituents from fruits of Cordia obliqua Wild in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: Ethanol and aqueous extracts of C. obliqua fruits were screened for phytochemicals. The extracts were subjected to column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to isolate four novel compounds. Compounds were characterized using infrared spectroscopy (IR), mass spectroscopy (MS), as well as 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The isolated compounds were assessed for acute toxicity, in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential (dose: 5 mg/kg) in paracetamol-induced (75 mg/kg) hepatotoxicity through oral route in Wistar rats. Results: Phytochemical analysis of ethanol (COE) indicated the presence of fatty acids, anthraquinones, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolics, triterpenes, and sterols. Compounds A, B, and C were identified from COE. Treatment at 50 mg/kg significantly reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTP), and total bilirubin (TB), as well as increased total protein and total alkalinity levels in serum compared to the positive control. Liver histo-architecture showed improvements compared to the positive control, indicating hepatic protection. Conclusion: The isolated compounds (A, B and C) from COE exhibit hepatoprotective effects attributed to flavonoids and phenolics with free radical scavenging properties. Further research is needed to identify key mechanisms responsible for hepatoprotective effects.